B3.3 OTHER NEISSERIA SPP.

Question 1

What infections are caused by N. meningitidis?

Answer 1

Endemic and epidemic meningitis, meningococcemia, and rarely pneumonia, purulent arthritis, or endophthalmitis

Question 2

What is the leading cause of fatal bacterial meningitis

Answer 2

N. meningitidis

Question 3

Where is N. meningitidis commonly found in the human body?

Answer 3

Nasopharynx and oropharynx (asymptomatic human carriage in the upper respiratory tract).

Question 4

What carbohydrates does N. meningitidis ferment?

Answer 4

Glucose and maltose

Question 5

What growth requirement is specific to N. meningitidis?

Answer 5

Requires iron for growth

Question 6

What does a positive beta-lactamase test indicate for N. meningitidis?

Answer 6

It produces beta-lactamase

Question 7

What is the mode of transmission for N. meningitidis?

Answer 7

Close contact with respiratory droplet secretions.

Question 8

What is observed in microscopy of encapsulated strains of N. meningitidis?

Answer 8

A halo around the organism.

Question 9

List the virulence factors of N. meningitidis.

Answer 9

Pili, polysaccharide capsule, LOS endotoxin, IgA protease, and cellular proteins

Question 10

What are the key porin proteins in N. meningitidis

Answer 10

PorA and PorB.

Question 11

Which encapsulated serogroups of N. meningitidis are the most common causes of infection?

Answer 11

Serogroups A, B, C, Y, and W-135.

Question 12

List the infections and diseases caused by N. meningitidis

Answer 12

Meningococcemia, meningitis, meningococcal pneumonia, conjunctivitis, and urethritis.

Question 13

The presence of N. meningitidis in the blood, occurring with or without meningitis

Answer 13

meningococcemia

Question 14

What are the hallmark symptoms of meningococcemia?

Answer 14

Purpura, petechial skin rash, tachycardia, hypotension, and thrombosis

Question 15

What syndrome is associated with hemorrhage in the adrenal glands during meningococcemia

Answer 15

Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome

Question 16

What complications can result from meningococcemia?

Answer 16

Arthritis, pericarditis, pneumonia, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and septic shock.

Question 17

What are the sequelae of meningococcemia?

Answer 17

Eighth nerve deafness, CNS damage, and skin or tissue necrosis due to vascular thrombosis

Question 18

What serogroup of N. meningitidis is associated with meningococcal pneumonia?

Answer 18

Serogroup Y.

Question 19

What age group and condition are associated with meningococcal pneumonia?

Answer 19

Older individuals with underlying pulmonary problems.

Question 20

What are the symptoms of meningitis caused by N. meningitidis?

Answer 20

Abrupt onset of frontal headache, stiff neck (nuchal rigidity), confusion, and photophobia

Question 21

What sequelae can result from meningitis caused by N. meningitidis?

Answer 21

Neurologic complications or seizures

Question 22

List the specimens used for the laboratory diagnosis of N. meningitidis.

Answer 22

CSF, blood, nasopharyngeal swabs, synovial fluids, aspirates of petechiae, sputum, and urogenital sites.

Question 23

What is the appearance of N. meningitidis in a Gram stain?

Answer 23

Intracellular and extracellular Gram-negative diplococci

Question 24

What culture media are used to grow N. meningitidis?

Answer 24

BAP, CAP, and TMA.

Question 25

Why must the SPS content of culture media for N. meningitidis not exceed 0.025%?

Answer 25

Because N. meningitidis is sensitive to higher concentrations of SPS.

Question 26

Describe the colony morphology of N. meningitidis.

Answer 26

Medium-sized, gray, convex colonies; encapsulated strains appear mucoid.

Question 27

What are the key biochemical test results for N. meningitidis?

Answer 27

Oxidase test (+), ferments glucose and maltose, γ-glutamyl aminopeptidase (+).

Question 28

What serologic tests are used for N. meningitidis?

Answer 28

Countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) and particle agglutination techniques (latex and coagglutination).

Question 29

What is the treatment of choice for N. meningitidis infections?

Answer 29

Penicillin G.

Question 30

Which Neisseria species is the only one that uses lactose?

Answer 30

Neisseria lactamica

Question 31

What disease does Neisseria cinerea cause?

Answer 31

Bacteremia, conjunctivitis, nosocomial pneumonia, and prostatitis.

Question 32

Which Neisseria species is associated with a yellow pigment and asaccharolytic growth at 22°C?

Answer 32

Neisseria flavescens

Question 33

Which Neisseria species is rod-shaped and catalase-negative?

Answer 33

Neisseria elongata

Question 34

What disease is caused by Neisseria subflava?

Answer 34

Bacteremia, meningitis, septicemia, endocarditis, and bacteriuria.

Question 35

What is the colony morphology of Neisseria sicca?

Answer 35

Dry, wrinkled, adherent, breadcrumb-like colonies.

Question 36

What is the role of Neisseria weaver in animals?

Answer 36

It is part of the normal oral microbiota in dogs