Neisseria Gonorrhoeae - Infections

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

No vaccine.

Sexually transmitted.

Can cause local infections of the genitals, rectum, and pharynx; within the blood, it causes disseminated infection.

Asymptomatic carriers are key reservoirs.

Infections

Localized

In males, the most common site of infection is the urethra; purulent discharge is common.

Complications include epididymitis, prostatitis, and development of periurethral abscesses.

In females, the cervix is the primary site of infection.

Many women are asymptomatic; others experience cervical discharge, abdominopelvic pain, and bleeding.

Complications occur when infection ascends to the uterus and uterine tubes, resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease. As a result of scarring, ectopic pregnancies and infertility can occur.

Opthalmia neonatorum

Mothers can pass gonorrheal infection to offspring during passage through the birth canal. Affected neonates acquire opthalmia neonatorum, a form of conjunctivitis. Prophylactic use of erythromycin ointment shortly after birth can prevent this. Systemic: Gonococcemia Produces fever, chills, and skin pustules on the extremities; septic arthritis can also occur.

Neisseria Gonorrhoeae - Infections

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