what is neisseria infection

What infection does Neisseria cause?

Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. It can lead to serious blood infections. When the linings of the brain and spinal cord become infected, it is called meningitis. The disease strikes quickly and can have serious complications, including death.

How do you get Neisseria?

Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. People with meningococcal disease spread the bacteria to others through close personal contact such as living together or kissing. A person with meningococcal disease needs immediate medical attention.

What does Neisseria do?

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a bacterial pathogen responsible for gonorrhoea and various sequelae that tend to occur when asymptomatic infection ascends within the genital tract or disseminates to distal tissues.

Where is Neisseria commonly found?

upper respiratory tractThe Gram-negative bacteria genus Neisseria includes both pathogenic and commensal species that are found primarily in the upper respiratory tract of humans and animals.

Can Neisseria gonorrhoeae be cured?

Yes, the right treatment can cure gonorrhea. It is important that you take all of the medicine your healthcare provider gives you to cure your infection.

Is Neisseria meningitidis an STD?

Neisseria meningitidis: An Emerging Sexually Transmitted Infection.

Where does Neisseria come from?

History. The genus Neisseria is named after the German bacteriologist Albert Neisser, who in 1879 discovered its first example, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the pathogen which causes the human disease gonorrhea.

Which antibiotic is mostly used to treat Neisseria infection?

Gonorrhea treatment in adults Due to emerging strains of drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that uncomplicated gonorrhea be treated with the antibiotic ceftriaxone — given as an injection — with oral azithromycin (Zithromax).

What part of the body does Neisseria meningitidis affect?

Meningococcal meningitis is a form of meningitis caused by a specific bacterium known as Neisseria meningitidis. Meningitis is characterized by inflammation of the membranes (meninges) around the brain or spinal cord. This inflammation can begin suddenly (acute) or develop gradually (subacute).

Is Neisseria harmful?

PATHOGENICITY/TOXICITY: Neisseria spp. are part of the commensal flora of mucosal membranes of humans and some animals, and are generally considered non-pathogenic except for N. gonorrhoea and N. meningitidis 1.

How do I know if I have Neisseria spp?

N. meningitidis can be identified using Kovac's oxidase test and carbohydrate utilization. If the oxidase test is positive, carbohydrate utilization testing should be performed.

Is Neisseria part of normal flora?

meningitidis andN. gonorrhoeae have long been recognized as the pathogenicNeisseria. OtherNeisseria spp. are common components of the normal flora of the upper respiratory tract of humans and are often called commensalNeisseria.

Where does Neisseria come from?

History. The genus Neisseria is named after the German bacteriologist Albert Neisser, who in 1879 discovered its first example, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the pathogen which causes the human disease gonorrhea.

What causes Neisseria gonorrhoeae?

Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The gonorrhea bacteria are most often passed from one person to another during sexual contact, including oral, anal or vaginal intercourse.

How is Neisseria gonorrhoeae contracted?

Gonorrhoea is transmitted through sexual contact including sex without using a condom, vaginal intercourse, anal and oral sex. During sexual intercourse, gonorrhoea is more likely to be transmitted from men to women than from women to men. The infection can also be transmitted from mother-to-child during childbirth.

Where does Neisseria meningitidis come from?

N. meningitidis is spread through saliva and respiratory secretions during coughing, sneezing, kissing, chewing on toys and through sharing a source of fresh water. It has also been reported to be transmitted through oral sex and cause urethritis in men.