Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Bacteria
Phylum: Proteobacteria
Class: Beta Proteobacteria
Order: Neisseriales
Family: Neisseriaceae
Genus: Neisseria
Species: N. gonorrhoeae
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (also known as Gonococci) is a species of Gram-negative bacteria responsible for the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhoea. Neisseria are highly fastidious cocci, requiring nutrient supplementation to survive. These cocci are intracellular and typically appear in pairs (diplococci).
Gonorrhoea symptoms include a purulent (or pus-like) discharge from the genitals which may be foul smelling, a burning sensation during urination and conjunctivitis commonly in neonatal infection, also occasionally in adults. Neisseria is usually isolated on a Modified Thayer-Martin culture plate — an agar plate with antibiotics and nutrients which not only facilitate the growth of Neisseria species, but inhibit the growth of Gram-positive organisms and most bacilli. Further testing to differentiate the species usually includes an oxidase test which will be positive for N. gonorrhoeae, and testing with the carbohydrates lactose, sucrose, and glucose. N. gonorrhoeae will only oxidize (that is, utilize) the glucose.
Since N. gonorrhoeae is resistant to the penicillin family of antibiotics, ceftriaxone (a third-generation cephalosporin) is often used.
Patients should also be tested for Chlamydia infections, since co-infection is frequent
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