Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Morphological Characteristics
This bacteria has a spherical shape and is normally seen in pairs. The spikes seen in the photo to the left are called fimbriae. N. gonorrhoeae can move with a twitching motion.
Identification Methods
A swab is taken either from the urethra of men or endocervix of women and testing using a culture promoting growth of N. gonorrhoeae. There is also a oxidase test which can be taken, which will change colors if the patient is positive.
LIFE CYCLE
-sexually transmitted disease
-the bacteria infects the mucous membrane of the reproductive tract (cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in women, and urethra in both men and women). Can also infect mucous membranes of mouth, throat, eyes, and rectum
-the correct host surface facilitates whether replication will happen on host cells
HOST INFORMATION
- Human pathogen
- Is a sexually transmitted disease
- Transmitted through sexual contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus of an infected partner
- Anyone who is sexually active is susceptible
- Can be spread perinattally from mother to baby at birth
- Medication is used to stop the spread of the infection, but there is some concern about the bacteria developing resistence to the treatment, so successful treatment is becoming more difficult
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
This STD occurs worldwide.
SOURCES
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6258741/
https://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/stdfact-gonorrhea-detailed.htm
https://microbenotes.com/habitat-and-morphology-of-neisseria-gonorrhoeae/