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what is the pathophysiology of gonorrhea

by Dr. Patrick Ritchie Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is caused by Neisseria gonorrhea, a gram-negative intracellular diplococcus, oxidase-positive bacterium that utilizes glucose, but not sucrose, maltose, or lactose. It can infect mucus-secreting epithelial cells in both men and women.Jul 29, 2020

What is the prognosis of gonorrhea?

Symptoms of pelvic infection in women include fever, pelvic pain, and pain during intercourse. If left untreated, gonorrhea causes infertility and can lead to difficulty in becoming pregnant. It can also result in ectopic pregnancies – a pregnancy where the embryo attaches itself outside of the uterus. If the infection is severe enough, a ...

What are the symptoms of gonorrhea, and how is it treated?

Gonorrhea is not transmitted from toilet seats. Women infected with gonorrhea may not have any symptoms. Common gonorrhea symptoms and signs include vaginal discharge and pain when a woman urinates. Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics . Gonorrhea may cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), tubo-ovarian abscess, and infertility.

How long can gonorrhea be left untreated?

Please tell me what can happen if you have gonorrhea and it is left untreated for a period of time (1-2 years)? Untreated GC: Untreated gonorrhea: a woman could develop pelvic inflammatory disease which may cause fever, pain, infertility ; ^ chances for ectopic pregnancy. A... Read More

What medicine can be used to treat gonorrhea?

  • For persons weighing ≥150 kg (300 lb), 1 g of IM ceftriaxone should be administered.
  • If chlamydia coinfection is identified when pharyngeal gonorrhea testing is performed, providers should treat for chlamydia with doxycycline 100 mg orally twice a day for 7 days. ...
  • No reliable alternative treatments are available for pharyngeal gonorrhea. ...

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What is gonorrhea write its etiology and pathogenesis?

gonorrhea, sexually transmitted disease characterized principally by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the genital tract and urethra. It is caused by the gonococcus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae—a bacterium with a predilection for the type of mucous membranes found in the genitourinary tract and adjacent areas.

What is the pathophysiology of chlamydia?

Pathophysiology. Chlamydia is unique among bacteria, having an infectious cycle and two developmental forms. These include the infectious form called the elementary body (EB) and the reticulate body (RB). The EB is metabolically inactive and is taken up by host cells.

What happens in gonorrhea disease?

Gonorrhea is an infection caused by a sexually transmitted bacterium that infects both males and females. Gonorrhea most often affects the urethra, rectum or throat. In females, gonorrhea can also infect the cervix. Gonorrhea is most commonly spread during vaginal, oral or anal sex.

What type of pathogen is Gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae or gonococcus.

What is the pathophysiology of syphilis?

Syphilis uses fibronectin molecules to attach to the endothelial surface of the vessels in organs resulting in inflammation and obliteration of the small blood vessels causing vasculitis (endarteritis obliterans). Organism has slow replication rate (30-33 hrs) and evades the initial host immune response.

What's the difference between gonorrhea and chlamydia?

Both infections are caused by bacteria. Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium while Chlamydia is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium. Any sexually active person can become infected with gonorrhea or chlamydia, but there are some factors that can increase the risk of contracting the infection.

What are four signs symptoms of gonorrhea?

Symptoms of gonorrheagreater frequency or urgency of urination.a pus-like discharge or drip from your penis (this discharge could be yellow, white, beige, or greenish)discoloration and swelling at the penis opening.testicular swelling or pain.itching and soreness in your anus.rectal bleeding or discharge.More items...•

What are long term effects of gonorrhea?

In women, gonorrhoea can spread to the reproductive organs and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This is estimated to occur in 10 to 20% of cases of untreated gonorrhoea. PID can lead to long-term pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy and infertility.

What is the difference between syphilis and gonorrhea?

What causes syphilis? Syphilis also is caused by bacteria. It differs from gonorrhea and chlamydia because it occurs in stages. It is more easily spread in some stages than in others.

What cells does gonorrhea infect?

gonorrhoeae adheres to host epithelial cells through Type IV pili (step 1), which retract and enable epithelial interactions with other prominent surface structures160,161.

How does gonorrhea affect the immune system?

Having a gonorrhea infection weakens your immune system, making you more susceptible to other diseases. The HIV virus can easily get into your body if your urethra is irritated. If you have both HIV and gonorrhea, then you are more likely to transmit HIV to another person.

How does gonorrhea invade?

N. gonorrhoeae breaks connections between cells that normally form a protective barrier. Summary: The bacterium that causes gonorrhea infects the female reproductive tract by breaking connections between cells in the tract's protective lining, according to new research.

What is the etiology of a chlamydial infection?

Etiology. Chlamydial transmission usually is caused by sexual contact through oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse. Neonatal infection (eg, conjunctivitis or pneumonia) may occur secondary to passage through the birth canal of an infected mother.

How does chlamydia affect the body?

Chlamydia is a common STD that can cause infection among both men and women. It can cause permanent damage to a woman's reproductive system. This can make it difficult or impossible to get pregnant later. Chlamydia can also cause a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside the womb).

How does Chlamydia trachomatis cause disease?

Chlamydia spreads through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone with the infection. Semen does not have to be present to get or spread the infection. Pregnant people can give chlamydia to their baby during childbirth. This can cause ophthalmia neonatorum (conjunctivitis) or pneumonia in some infants.

What is pathogenesis of a disease?

Pathogenesis is the process by which an infection leads to disease. Pathogenic mechanisms of viral disease include (1) implantation of virus at the portal of entry, (2) local replication, (3) spread to target organs (disease sites), and (4) spread to sites of shedding of virus into the environment.

How Can I Reduce My Risk of Getting Gonorrhea?

The only way to avoid STDs is to not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.If you are sexually active, you can do the following things to lower your chan...

Am I at Risk For Gonorrhea?

Any sexually active person can get gonorrhea through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex.If you are sexually active, have an honest and open tal...

I’M pregnant. How Does Gonorrhea Affect My Baby?

If you are pregnant(https://www.cdc.gov/std/pregnancy/stdfact-pregnancy.htm) and have gonorrhea, you can give the infection to your baby during del...

How Do I Know If I Have Gonorrhea?

Some men with gonorrhea may have no symptoms at all. However, men who do have symptoms, may have: 1. A burning sensation when urinating; 2. A white...

How Will My Doctor Know If I Have Gonorrhea?

Most of the time, urine can be used to test for gonorrhea. However, if you have had oral and/or anal sex, swabs may be used to collect samples from...

I was Treated For Gonorrhea. When Can I Have Sex Again?

You should wait seven days after finishing all medications before having sex. To avoid getting infected with gonorrhea again or spreading gonorrhea...

What Happens If I Don’T Get Treated?

Untreated gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent health problems in both women and men.In women, untreated gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammato...

Where Can I Get More Information?

STD information and referrals to STD ClinicsCDC-INFO1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)TTY: 1-888-232-6348In English, en Español

What is the pathogenicity of Neisseria gonorrhea?

The main pathogenicity of the Neisseria gonorrhea stems from the ability of its surface pili to attach to the surface of the urethra, fallopian tubes, and endocervix. Anotehr virulence factor of gonorrhea is porin.

What enzymes does gonorrhea release?

N. gonorrhea activates phosphatidylcholine specific phospholipase C and acidic sphingomyelinase and release of diacylglycerol and ceramide

What are the virulence factors of Neisseria gonorrhea?

Established virulence factors of Neisseria gonorrhoeae include: The main pathogenicity of the Neisseria gonorrhea stems from the surface pili by following mechanisms: Mediate attachment to the surface of the urethra, fallopian tubes, and endocervix. Preventing phagocytosis by neutrophils.

What is the disease that can be transmitted by a sex?

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by Neisseria gonorrhea . It can infect mucus-secreting epithelial cells both in men and women. Established routes of transmission of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium include vaginal intercourse, rectal intercourse, fellatio, cunnilingus, and perinatal . The main pathogenicity of the Neisseria gonorrhea stems from the ability of its surface pili to attach to the surface of the urethra, fallopian tubes, and endocervix. Anotehr virulence factor of gonorrhea is porin. The two main porin serotypes include PorB.1A strains (resulting in a disseminated gonococcal infection) and PorB.1B strains (resulting in local genital infections).

What are the two main porin serotypes?

The two main porin serotypes include PorB.1A strains (resulting in a disseminated gonococcal infection) and PorB.1B strains (resulting in local genital infections). In pregnancy, gonococcus can be transmitted to the fetus at the time of delivery. This results in infection of the conjuctiva.

How long does it take for gonococcus to show up in the conjuctiva?

In pregnancy, gonococcus can be transmitted to the fetus at the time of delivery. This results in infection of the conjuctiva. This appears 1 to 4 days after birth as severe discharge with marked swelling and redness of the eyelids and conjunctiva.

Can gonococcus survive in neutrophils?

Additionally, gonococcus can survive in neutrophils and macrophages by preventing the formation of degradative phagolysosomes

What causes gonorrhea in the body?

Infection that spreads to the joints and other areas of your body. The bacterium that causes gonorrhea can spread through the bloodstream and infect other parts of your body, including your joint s. Fever, rash, skin sores, joint pain, swelling and stiffness are possible results. Increased risk of HIV/AIDS.

What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?

Signs and symptoms include anal itching, pus-like discharge from the rectum, spots of bright red blood on toilet tissue and having to strain during bowel movements. Eyes.

What are the parts of the female reproductive system?

Female reproductive system. Female reproductive system. The ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and vagina (va ginal canal) make up the female reproductive system. In many cases, gonorrhea infection causes no symptoms. Symptoms, however, can affect many sites in your body, but commonly appear in the genital tract.

How do you know if you have gonorrhea?

Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea infection in men include: Painful urination. Pus-like discharge from the tip of the penis. Pain or swelling in one testicle. Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea infection in women include: Increased vaginal discharge. Painful urination.

What causes a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes in the neck?

Throat. Signs and symptoms of a throat infection might include a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Joints.

Can gonorrhea cause infertility?

Gonorrhea can cause a small, coiled tube in the rear portion of the testicles where the sperm ducts are located (epididymis) to become inflamed (epididymitis). Untreated epididymitis can lead to infertility. Infection that spreads to the joints and other areas of your body.

Does gonorrhea cause HIV?

Increased risk of HIV/AIDS. Having gonorrhea makes you more susceptible to infection with human immuno deficiency virus (HIV), the virus that leads to AIDS. People who have both gonorrhea and HIV are able to pass both diseases more readily to their partners. Complications in babies.

What is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can infect both men and women. It can cause infections in the genitals, rectum, and throat. It is a very common infection, especially among young people ages 15-24 years.

How is gonorrhea spread?

You can get gonorrhea by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has gonorrhea. A pregnant woman with gonorrhea can give the infection to her baby during childbirth.

How will my doctor know if I have gonorrhea?

Most of the time, urine can be used to test for gonorrhea. However, if you have had oral and/or anal sex, swabs may be used to collect samples from your throat and/or rectum. In some cases, a swab may be used to collect a sample from a man’s urethra (urine canal) or a woman’s cervix (opening to the womb).

Why is it important to talk to your doctor about gonorrhea?

If you are pregnant, it is important that you talk to your health care provider so that you get the correct examination, testing, and treatment, as necessary. Treating gonorrhea as soon as possible will make health complications for your baby less likely.

What are the symptoms of a STD?

You should be examined by your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms or if your partner has an STD or symptoms of an STD, such as an unusual sore, a smelly discharge, burning when urinating, or bleeding between periods.

Does gonorrhea increase your chances of getting HIV?

Untreated gonorrhea may also increase your chances of getting or giving HIV – the virus that causes AIDS.

Can you get gonorrhea from sex?

Any sexually active person can get gonorrhea through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex. If you are sexually active, have an honest and open talk with your health care provider and ask whether you should be tested for gonorrhea or other STDs.

What are the complications of gonorrhea?

Complications specific to males include epididymitis, prostatitis, and proctitis.[1] Immune-mediated, systemic complications following gonorrhea infection can result in the triad of reactive arthritis, urethritis, and conjunctivitis .[1]  Gonorrheal infection can complicate obstetrical delivery by infecting newborns via eye contact with genital secretions during the puerperal period and can result in gonococcal conjunctivitis that can progress onto blindness. Gonorrheal infection increases the risk of sexual transmission of HIV-AIDS. [1][13]

How to control gonorrhea?

Public health control of gonorrhea depends upon suitable antimicrobial therapy, in tandem with generalized and targeted prevention interventions, accurate diagnostic assays, partner notification procedures, and epidemiological surveillance. Antibiotic administration should resolve individual cases to decrease the risk of complications and avert further transmission of the infection. [4]

How does N. gonorrhoeaeinfection start?

N. gonorrhoeaeinfection starts with the adhesion of gonococci to epithelial cells , followed by local cellular invasion. Gonorrhea has multiple surface proteins that facilitate adhesion. N. gonorrhoeae utilize pili to initiate adhesion to epithelial cells. Hair-like appendages, pili cover the bacterial surface. Their ability to lengthen and retract allows the bacteria to attach from a distance and move closer to the epithelial cells, promoting cellular invasion. Pili also provide motility and protection.[7]  Other surface proteins involved in cellular attachment include Opa, opacity-associated proteins, and LOS, lipooligosaccharide. LOS attaches to sperm cells and likely leads to transmission from males to uninfected sexual partners. [8]

What is the obligate pathogen?

The obligate pathogen N. gonorrhoeaeinfects only humans in nature and most commonly manifests as urethritis in men and cervicitis in women.[4]  Obligate pathogens refer to bacteria that must manifest disease to facilitate transmission from one host to another. To survive, these bacteria must infect a host and cannot survive outside of a host. Undiagnosed and/or untreated gonorrheal urogenital infections can ascend through the upper urogenital tract and cause many severe reproductive complications, most commonly but not exclusively in women, such as endometritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and/or life-threatening morbidity via ectopic pregnancy. [5]

What are the organ systems affected by gonococcal infection?

Infectious and noninfectious diseases can cause urethritis, cervicitis, proctitis, conjunctivitis, pharyngitis, and arthritis. Autoimmune, neoplastic, traumatic, and toxicologic etiologies must be considered when evaluating patients presenting with symptoms suspicious for gonorrhea. The gonococcal infection itself can have autoimmune manifestations such as reactive arthritis in association with urethritis and conjunctivitis. [1]

What is the diagnostic test for gonorrhea?

gonorrhoeae infection's diagnosis is made by direct detection of the gonococcal pathogen in urogenital, anorectal, pharyngeal, or conjunctival swab specimens or first-catch urine. [15]

Why has the morbidity of gonorrhea risen over the last 20 years?

Gonorrhea morbidity has risen over the last 20 years secondary to the progression of antimicrobial resistance. [2]

What is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by infection with the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. N. gonorrhoeae infects the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract, including the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in women, and the urethra in women and men. N. gonorrhoeae can also infect the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, eyes, and rectum.

What are the signs and symptoms of gonorrhea?

When present, signs and symptoms of urethral infection in men include dysuria or a white, yellow, or green urethral discharge that usually appears one to fourteen days after infection 5. In cases where urethral infection is complicated by epididymitis, men with gonorrhea may also complain of testicular or scrotal pain.

How common is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a very common infectious disease. CDC estimates that approximately 1.6 million new gonococcal infections occurred in the United States in 2018, and more than half occur among young people aged 15-24. 1 Gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the United States. 2 However, many infections are asymptomatic, so reported cases only capture a fraction of the true burden.

Who is at risk for gonorrhea?

In the United States, the highest reported rates of infection are among sexually active teenagers, young adults, and African Americans 2.

What are the complications of gonorrhea?

Untreated gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent health problems in both women and men.

How is gonorrhea diagnosed?

Urogenital gonorrhea can be diagnosed by testing urine, urethral (for men), or endocervical or vaginal (for women) specimens using nucle ic acid amplification testing (NAAT) 19. It can also be diagnosed using gonorrhea culture, which requires endocervical or urethral swab specimens.

How is gonorrhea transmitted?

Gonorrhea is transmitted through sexual contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus of an infected partner. Ejaculation does not have to occur for gonorrhea to be transmitted or acquired. Gonorrhea can also be spread perinatally from mother to baby during childbirth.

How to diagnose gonorrhea?

A urine test can often diagnose gonorrhea. During the physical exam, your provider may: Perform a pelvic exam, taking a sample of fluid from the cervix to test. Take a sample of fluid from the penis. Do a throat or anal culture to see if the infection is in those areas.

What to do if you think you have gonorrhea?

If you think you have gonorrhea, see your healthcare provider. Prompt treatment helps avoid long-term problems. A course of antibiotics usually cures gonorrhea. Appointments & Access. Contact Us. Overview. Symptoms and Causes. Diagnosis and Tests. Management and Treatment.

How long after gonorrhea do you have to wait to have sex?

It’s important to do this because gonorrhea may not cause any symptoms. Women especially may not have symptoms and won’t know to get tested and treated. Wait a week after you finish your medication before resuming your sex life. Use condoms and dental dams when you have sex.

How many people get gonorrhea every year?

Around 1.14 million new gonorrhea infections occur in the United States every year. About half of the infections occur in people ages 15 to 24.

Can you get gonorrhea without knowing?

It spreads easily. Gonorrhea occurs most often in people who have many sex partners and those who don’t use condoms. You may not have any gonorrhea symptoms, so you can spread gonorrhea without knowing it.

Can you have gonorrhea from unprotected sex?

Gonorrhea symptoms include pain and discharge from the penis or vagina. However, many people do not have symptoms. If you think you have gonorrhea, or you had unprotected sex, talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested.

Can gonorrhea be repeated?

Yes. Repeat gonorrhea infections are common in people who don’t carefully protect themselves.

How is Gonorrhea Contracted?

Gonorrhea spreads through semen or vaginal fluids during unprotected sexual contact, heterosexual or homosexual, with an infected partner:

What is a genital exam?

a genital examination by a doctor or nurse. taking swabs from the cervix (entrance to the womb), urethra (tube where the urine comes out), throat or rectum. women may have an internal examination.

Is chlamydia a STD?

Early treatment is simple & effective, & involves a single dose of antibiotics. In addition, the treatment of chlamydia is also advocated. It is common to have these two STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) infections together – 50% have both

Can gonorrhea spread to other parts of the body?

Gonorrhea infection can spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, causing damage & serious problems.

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Overview

A sexually transmitted bacterial infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhea. It often affects urethra, rectum or throat.
How common is condition?
Common (More than 200,000 cases per year in US)
Is condition treatable?
Treatable by a medical professional
Does diagnosis require lab test or imaging?
Requires lab test or imaging
Time taken for recovery
Can last several days or weeks
Is condition preventable by vaccine?
May be preventable by vaccine
How is condition transmitted?
Transmitted through sexual contact
Condition Highlight
Common for ages 18-35
Condition Highlight
More common in females
Condition Image

Symptoms

Causes

Risk Factors

Complications

Prevention

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