Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a bacteria that causes the sexually-transmitted disease gonorrhea.  It is also an important cause of neonatal eye infections when infants are born to infected mothers.  Gonorrhea is characterized by a genital tract infection that causes painful urination and a purulent (pus) discharge from the urethra.  In females, the infection can spread to the internal organs, causing damage to the fallopian tubes which may lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancy.  Further spread of the bacteria can cause pelvic inflammatory disease in females.  Arthritis and skin rashes may develop in males and females.  Treatment involves the use of an antibiotic such as a cephalosporin or a fluoroquinolone.

Diseases

Gonorrhea - a sexually-transmitted disease that causes painful urination, a purulent (pus) disharge from the urethra.  Untreated disease may spread to other organs causing pelvic inflammatory disease (females only), arthritis, and skin rashes.

Neonatal conjuntivitis - an eye infection of newborn infants born to infected mothers

Habitat and transmission

• Neisseria gonorrhoeae is found on the mucous membrane surfaces of humans (i.e., the genital tract, the eyes, or throat)
• It is spread from person-to-person through intimate contact.
• Can be spread from a pregnant mother to the infant during childbirth.

Weapons and defenses

• Pili - allow attachment of the bacteria to the surface of mucous membranes and defend against white blood cells.
• Protease - a chemical that can destroy IgA antibodies.
• Spreads more easily in people with complement deficiencies and in pregnant females.
• May not cause symptoms in early infection (especially females), allowing for spread to internal organs.

Weaknesses

Susceptible to antibiotics such as cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones.