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Neisseria Meningitidis
Neisseria Meningitidis (also called meningococcus) has two main virulence factors:
capsule and Endotoxin (LPS)
The endotoxin (LPS) causes blood vessel destruction (hemorrhage). This blood vessel
hemorrhage is seen on the skin as tiny, red dots called petechiae.
Two groups of people at high risk for Neisseria Meningitidis infection are: infants aged 6
months to 2 years and Army recruits.
Meningitis fever, vomiting, bulging anterior fontanels (in infants), stiff neck,
headache, photophobia.
Diagnosis is with gram stain and culture of blood and spinal fluid.
Treatment is with Ceftriaxone. Also give all close contacts of the patient Rifampin.
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae
Neisseria gonorrhoeae has Pili. This allows the bug to adhere (stick) to certain
parts of the body and cause damage. No capsule
Gonococcal disease in men causes inflammation of the urethra (the narrow canal
that urine comes out of). Patient will have painful urination, purulent (pus) discharge.
Treatment is Ceftriaxone.
Diagnosis is made by putting a needle into the joint, taking out some synovial fluid and
examining it for gram-negative diplococci.
In newborns, that pass through their mothers birth canal that has Neisseria
gonorrhoeae, they bug can infect the newborns eyes, causing ophthalmia neonatorum.
Treatment is with Erythromycin eye drops.
Moraxella catarrhalis
Present in the upper respiratory tract of 1.5-5.4% of healthy individuals, more commonly
in children and elderly adults .
Diseases:
Acute purulent exacerbation of chronic bronchitis
Causes 10-15% of episodes of otitis media and sinusitis
Rarely associated with systemic infection (endocarditis, meningitits)
Culture: Pink coloration of colonies on chocolate agar not apparent on blood agar
Glucose, maltose, sucrose, fructose or lactose negative