Neisseria and Moraxella Catarrhalis (Exam 2)

Question 1

Which organism is capable of utilizing glucose only?

Answer 1

N. gonorrhoeae

Question 2

Which organism is capable of utilizing glucose and maltose?

Answer 2

N. meningitidis

Question 3

Which organism is capable of utilizing glucose, maltose and lactose?

Answer 3

N. lactima

Question 4

Which organism is asaccharolytic?

Answer 4

M. catarrhalis

Question 5

Which organism is often identified by its positive results for DNase, nitrate reduction, and B-lactimase tests?

Answer 5

M. catarrhalis

Question 6

What are the special collection and transportation criteria for N. gonorrhoeae?

Answer 6

“Bedside inoculation” into Jembec transport media, using non-nutritive swabs, and a CO2 atmosphere (from media container)

Question 7

What is the typical gram stain of N. gonorrhoeae from male genital specimens?

Answer 7

Increased PMNs and intracellular GNDC

Question 8

Why is a direct patient specimen gram stain not used as a preliminary N. gonorrhoeae diagnostic test for females?

Answer 8

Because other Neisseria species can be normal vaginal flora

Question 9

What percentage of males with N. gonorrhoeae are asymptomatic?

Answer 9

3-5%

Question 10

What percentage of females with N. gonorrhoeae are asymptomatic?

Answer 10

50%

Question 11

What percentage of females with a genital N. gonorrhoeae infection contract a concurrent rectal infection?

Answer 11

30-60%

Question 12

Which species of Neisseria is the causative agent of ocular infections in newborns and is transferred from mother to baby during vaginal delivery?

Answer 12

N. gonorrhoeae

Question 13

What is the gram stain for Neisseria and Moraxella catarrhalis?

Answer 13

Gram negative diplococci

Question 14

What biochemical test do Neisseria and Moraxella catarrhalis have in common?

Answer 14

Oxidase positive

Question 15

What are the common growth requirements for Neisseria and Moraxella catarrhalis?

Answer 15

aerobic, capnophilic (CO2 dependent), and high humidity

Question 16

What media is usually used to recover pathogenic Neisseria and Moraxella catarrhalis? Which organism is the exception?

Answer 16

MTM; N. lactima is non-pathogenic and grows on MTM as well.

Question 17

Which species of Neisseria is the causative agent of meningitis and bacteremia/septicemia?

Answer 17

N. meningitidis

Question 18

What is the fatality rate of meningitis caused by N. meningitidis?

Answer 18

10-15%

Question 19

What is the fatality rate of septicemia/bacteremia caused by N. meningitidis?

Answer 19

25%

Question 20

Which organism is the causative agent of Waterhouse-Friderickson syndrome, which causes adrenal hemorrhaging?

Answer 20

N. meningitidis

Question 21

Are there special lab precautions taken when working with N. meningitidis?

Answer 21

Yes, must work under biosafety hood if the organisms is suspected

Question 22

Which organism is known to cause otitus media, specifically in small children

Answer 22

M. catarrhalis

Question 23

Which organism is considered normal upper respiratory flora?

Answer 23

M. catarrhalis

Question 24

Which organism is most commonly spread in places where people are in close contact with each other?

Answer 24

N. meningitidis

Question 25

What are the abrupt onset symptoms of N. meningitidis?

Answer 25

headache, stiffness of the neck, confusion and light sensitivity

Question 26

Who is normally affected by N. meningitidis?

Answer 26

Infants and adolescents