Gram Negative Cocci

Neisseria meningitidis
• colonize the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory
tract
• form of meningococcemia and meningitis
• Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome
• lipopolysaccharide–endotoxin complex
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
• STD
• Pathogenic types of N. gonorrhoeae adhere by means of pili
Moraxella catarrhalis
• in the oropharynx of healthy children and adults
• bronchitis, otitis, sinusitis, and pneumonia (especially in
persons with underlying chronic lung disease)
• meningitis, urogenital infection, and ophthalmia neonatorum
Specimen
• Swabs are acceptable for N.
gonorrhoeae if the
specimen will be plated
within 6 hours
• If cotton swabs are used, the
transport medium should
contain charcoal to inhibit
toxic fatty acids
• Best method: immediate
plating in atmosphere of
increased carbon dioxide
(3%-5% )
Gram stain
• aerobic, gram-negative cocci are often arranged in pairs with
flattened adjacent surfaces, giving the appearance of kidney or
coffee beans
• nonmotile, catalase- and oxidase-positive
• All species of Neisseria are oxidase positive,
• All species except N. elongata are catalase positive.
• standard method of identification:
• acid production from glucose, maltose, lactose, sucrose, and
fructose in a CTA base medium and a carbohydrate-free control
• Tubes are inoculated, incubated at 35°–37° C in ambient air, and
examined at 24-hour intervals until reactions are interpretable, or
for 72 hours.
DNAse Test
DNAse Test