Gram Negative Cocci

Midterms
Clinical Bacteriology
GRAM-NEGATIVE COCCI
Genus Neisseria
2 Pathogens:

• N.gonorrhoeae - causes gonorrhoea

• N. meningitides - causes meningitis and meningococcemia
Morphology and Characteristics:

• Gram negative diplococcic resembling coffee beans/ kidney beans except N. elongate (Rod-shaped)
• Obligate aerobes
• Capnophilic- requires 5-10% CO2
• Non-motile
• Non-spore forming
• Catalase positive except N. elongata
• Oxidase positive

• Strictly parasitic
• Facultative anaerobes
• Fastidious organisms
o Requires increased oxygen
o Require enriched medium for growth
▪ CAM
▪ T-M medium: composed of CAM added with antibiotics:
• Vancomycin
• Colistin
• Nystatin
▪ Modified T-M medium: uses haemoglobin solution+ supplements commercially available:
• Vancomycin
• Colistin
• Nystatin
• Trimethoprim lactate
• Isovitalex (Supplements)
▪ NYC: VCA
▪ Martin Lewis Agar: VCT
▪ Transgrow Medium: Transport media for NEISSERIA
▪ Neisseria-establish disease through attachment in the mucous membranes of the host
through pili
ORGANISMS DISEASE AND NOTES/CONSIDERATIONS VIRULENCE FACTORS
INFECTIONS
N. -leading cause of Common name: Gonococcus *pili: adherence factor; primary
gonorrhoeae STD Natural host: Man virulence
-localized Incubation period (Genital factor
infections such as infections) *M protein: present in the outer
pharyngitis, -Males: 2-7 days membrane of the cell, adherence
anorectal infections * inflammation of the other factor
nad conjunctivitis parts of the genitalia (epididymis, *Lipopolysaccharides:
(ophthalmia prostate, urethra) site of endotoxins *Beta-lactamase:
neonatorium of Penicillin resistance *IgA Protease:
newborns during -Females: 2-7 days degrades immunoglobulin A
birth from the * endocervix/cervix (can ascend
infected mother). to uterus or fallopian tubes: Pelvic
inflammatory (SALPHINGITIS)
N. -Life-threatening, Common name: Meningococcus *pili: attachment to the nasopharynx,
meningitidis acute, purulent Human parasite do not cause the actual disease
meningitis. MOT: Respiratory droplets *capsule: “antiphagocytic”
-Meningitis JEMBEC: James E. Martin *lipopolysaccharidesresponsible for
-Bacteremia Biological Environmental petechiae and Waterhouse-
-DIC Chamber- transport media Friedrishsen syndrome
*Waterhouse- *IgA-degrades the antibody
Friedrichsen
syndrome (massive
hemorrhage into
the adrenal gland)
N. -Life-threatening, Common name: Meningococcus *pili: attachment to the nasopharynx,
meningitidis acute, purulent Human parasite do not cause the actual disease
meningitis. MOT: Respiratory droplets *capsule: “antiphagocytic”
-Meningitis JEMBEC: James E. Martin *lipopolysaccharides - responsible for
-Bacteremia Biological Environmental petechiae and Waterhouse-
-DIC Chamber- transport media Friedrishsen syndrome
*Waterhouse- *IgA-degrades the antibody
Friedrichsen
syndrome (massive
hemorrhage into
the adrenal gland)

Other Neisseria -rarely involved in human infections

spp. -bacteremia, endocarditis, meningitis
Moraxella -localized infections associated with respiratory tract and includes sinusitis and pneumonia -lower
catarrhalis/ respiratory tract infections
Branhamella -rarely causes DIC infections such as bacteremia or meningitis
catarhalis

ORGANISMS GLUCOSE MALTOSE SUCROSE LACTOSE

M. catarrhalis - - - -
N. gonorrhoeae + - - -
N. meningitides + + - -
N. subflava + + +/- -
N. lactamica + + - +
 N. sicca + + +/- -
N. flavescence - - - -
N. cinerea - - - -
N. mucosa - - - -

N. meningitides, M. catarrhalis, Saprophytic Neisseria spp. - grows well on 5% sheep blood and chocolate agar
N. gonorrhoeae: more fastidious and requires an enriched chocolate agar for growth on primary culture
NYC medium: Mycoplasma, M. hominis, and U. urealyticum will also grow on this agar
FAMILY VEILONELLACEAE
Genus Veilonella
Spp. parvula
▪ Gram negative diplococcic
▪ Strictly anaerobic
▪ Normal flora of the mouth