Neisseria Gonorrhoeae
Also written as PPNG.
It spreads upwards from the cervix and vagina, and it is a polymicrobial infection caused by *Neisseria gonorrhoeae* and *Chlamydia trachomatis* with anaerobes, *Gardnerella* and enteric bacteria.
What our notes say
- It spreads upwards from the cervix and vagina, and it is a polymicrobial infection caused by *Neisseria gonorrhoeae* and *Chlamydia trachomatis* with anaerobes, *Gardnerella* and enteric bacteria. (Year 6 Gynaecology CAT 1 (MBOG 6511): 13 December 2019, 4 short answers and 16 M)
- Culture shows Neisseria gonorrhoeae that is β-lactamase positive and highly resistant to tetracycline. (Medical Bacteriology Examination MCQs)
- Gonorrhea (gonococcal urethritis) caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Medical Bacteriology MCQs: ETEC, Pseudomonas, Salmonella & More)
- Lower abdominal pain with cervical motion tenderness suggests pelvic inflammatory disease, usually from Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. (Obstetrics and Gynaecology Question Bank: 12 Clinical MCQs)
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae consists of conjugate plasmids that make the bacteria resistant to: (Bacteriology and Entomology Main Exam)
- Mucopurulent discharge, intracellular gram-negative diplococci — Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Dr. Irungu Notes)
Study material on Neisseria Gonorrhoeae
- Bacteriology and Entomology Main Exam
- Medical Bacteriology Examination MCQs
- Medical Bacteriology MCQs: ETEC, Pseudomonas, Salmonella & More
- Male Reproductive & Urinary Tract Pathology MCQs | MKU Year 3 Medicine
- Mbmm3311 – Medical Bacteriology
- Weekly Year 2: Microbiology Exam - June 12, 2026 (Section A: MCQs)
- Weekly Year 2: Microbiology Exam - May 15, 2026 (Section A: MCQs)
- Weekly Year 2: Microbiology Exam - April 17, 2026 (Section A: MCQs)
Practice questions on Neisseria Gonorrhoeae
Beta-lactamase production by strains of Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae confers resistance against penicillin G. Which one of the following antibiotics is most likely to be effective against all strains of each of the above organisms?
- Ceftriaxone
- Ampicillin
- Clindamycin
- Piperacillin
- Gentamicin
Answer: A. Ceftriaxone is a 3rd generation cephalosporin that is β-lactamase stable and has excellent activity against H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis, and N. gonorrhoeae, including β-lactamase-producing strains that are resistant to penicillin G and ampicillin. ---
Ophthalmia neonatorum, a severe conjunctivitis, is associated with Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis, which are sexually transmitted infections.
- A) Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
- B) Syphilis and Herpes
- C) HPV and Trichomoniasis
- D) HIV and Hepatitis B
Answer: A. Ophthalmia neonatorum is a serious eye infection in newborns. The most common causes are Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis, both of which are sexually transmitted infections acquired during passage through the birth canal.
Salpingitis, inflammation of the fallopian tubes, is most commonly caused by sexually transmitted infections like Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Syphilis is not a primary cause of salpingitis and does not typically lead to gumma formation in the fallopian tubes.
- A) Gonorrhea and Chlamydia; pelvic inflammatory disease
- B) Syphilis; gumma formation
- C) HPV; cervical dysplasia
- D) Trichomoniasis; vaginitis
Answer: A. Salpingitis is a key component of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). The most common causative agents of PID and salpingitis are Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Syphilis does not typically cause salpingitis or gumma formation in the fallopian tubes.
Ophthalmia neonatorum, a severe conjunctivitis in newborns, is most commonly caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis, which are sexually transmitted infections.
- A) Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
- B) Syphilis and Herpes
- C) HPV and Trichomoniasis
- D) HIV and Hepatitis B
Answer: A. Ophthalmia neonatorum is a serious eye infection in newborns, typically acquired during passage through the birth canal. The most common causative agents are Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis, both of which are sexually transmitted infections.
A 19-year-old man has urethral discharge. Culture shows Neisseria gonorrhoeae that is β-lactamase positive and highly resistant to tetracycline. Which statement is correct?
- Treatment with penicillin G is recommended.
- Tetracycline would be an effective treatment option.
- Ceftriaxone is the recommended first-line treatment.
- The resistance to β-lactams indicates a lack of virulence factors.
Answer: C. Due to widespread resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to many antibiotics, including β-lactams and tetracyclines, current guidelines recommend ceftriaxone as the first-line treatment. The information provided about β-lactamase positivity and tetracycline resistance highlights the need for appropriate antibiotic choices.
Which Neisseria gonorrhoeae structure primarily mediates attachment to host epithelial cells?
- Capsule
- Flagella
- Pili (fimbriae)
- Outer membrane proteins (e.g., PorB)
Answer: C. Pili (fimbriae) are hair-like appendages on the surface of Neisseria gonorrhoeae that play a crucial role in adherence to host epithelial cells in the genitourinary tract, facilitating colonization and infection.