Picture 14

This picture shows Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Gram stain.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Morphology: Gram negative cocci that resembles a 'paired kidney beans', has no polysaccharide capsule, oxidase positive

Route of transmission: Sexual contact, perinatal

Investigations: Gram stain and culture of discharge from genital tract, cultured on Thayer-Martin medium. ELISA and DNA assays can also be used

Diseases:

Males - Urethritis 2-7 days after exposure

- Proctitis in homosexual men

Females - Urethritis, asymptomatic infection, pelvic inflammatory disease, Perihepatitis (Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome)

Disseminated gonococcal infections

Children - Gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum

Treatment:

Ceftriaxone, spectinomycin, or ciprofloxacin and doxycycline

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