Gonorrhea infection

A common STI caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a gram-negative diplococcus bacterium that is closely related to other human Neisseria species.

Men typically present with a urethral discharge; women are often asymptomatic, but may have vaginal discharge.

Risk factors include multiple sexual partners in recent months, known partner with gonorrhea, drug use, prior STI, and men who have sex with men.

If left untreated, N gonorrhoeae can disseminate to areas of the body to cause skin and synovial infections; rarer complications include meningitis, endocarditis, and perihepatic abscesses.

High rates of antimicrobial resistance have been reported, and antibiotic treatment should be guided by local and national guidelines. The main treatment for uncomplicated gonorrhea is dual therapy with single-dose intramuscular ceftriaxone plus single-dose oral azithromycin.

The treatment of N gonorrhoeae is important in the prevention of infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and ectopic pregnancy in women.

If acquired congenitally from an infected mother, the neonate can present with ophthalmia neonatorum, which left untreated can cause blindness.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a gram-negative diplococcus bacterium that is closely related to other human Neisseria species.[1]Smith NH, Holmes EC, Donovan GM, et al. Networks and groups within the genus Neisseria: analysis of argF, recA, rho and 16S rRNA from human Neisseria species. Mol Biol Evol. 1999 Jun;16(6):773-83. http://mbe.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/16/6/773 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10368955?tool=bestpractice.com Gonorrhea is any manifestation of infection by N gonorrhoeae. Aside from causing infection in the lower genital tract, it can also cause conjunctivitis and severe disseminated infections especially if acquired congenitally. The pathogen is almost exclusively sexually transmitted and can be found in the genital tract, pharynx, and rectum.[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: This gram-stained micrograph of a rectal smear specimen reveals the presence of diplococcal Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteriaCDC/ Joe Miller [Citation ends].