Neisseria gonorrhoeae IntroductionNeisseria gonorrhoeae is the obligate human pathogen that causes the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea. These Gram-negative diplococci/gonococci do not infect other animals or experimental animals and do not survive freely in the environment. Gonococcal infection occurs in the upper or lower tract, pharynx, ophthalmic area, rectum, and bloodstream. During the 1980s gonorrhea was also called “the clap” when public awareness was fairly minimal. This was one of the venereal diseases that prostitutes hoped to contract as it caused infertility due to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). As documentation, diagnostic testing, and public awareness have improved, there has been a decline in reported incidence, however, it is still considered a very common infectious disease. Meeting Sexually active men and women of all races, ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds are susceptible to gonococcal infection. However, among the infected population, the CDC says 80% of females and 10% of males are asymptomatic. After an incubation of 5 to 7 days, males tend to show symptoms of swelling of the urethra, painful and more frequent urination, and abnormal discharge of a thick yellow exudate (pus). Likewise, women experience chronic abdominal pain, inflammation of the cervix, painful urination, irregular bleeding or menstrual cycles, fever, and increased yellow vaginal discharge. Females have a higher risk factor of 60-90% of contracting the infection after a single sexual encounter. Both sexes suffer from sore throat in oral infections if they are not asymptomatic. However, this response is commonly mistaken for a viral sore throat. Entry Neisseria gonorrhoe...... middle of paper ......584.doi: 10.1046/j.1462-5822.2002.t01-1- 00215.xPark , Hae-Sun Moon, Wolfgang, Matthew, van Putten, Jos PM, Dorward, David, Hayes, Stanley F. & Koomey, Michael. Structural alterations in a type IV pilus subunit protein result in simultaneous defects in multicellular behavior and adhesion to host tissue. Molecular Microbiology 42 (2), 293-307.doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2001.02629.xSoper, David E, Disseminated gonococcal infection. (Protocols). Contemporary obstetrics and gynecology. June 2002 v47 i6 p135(4)Bradbury, Jane. Neisseria gonorrhoeae evades host immunity by shutting down T lymphocytes. The Lancet. Feb 23, 2002 v359 i9307 p681.Senior, B.W., Steward, W., Galloway, C., Kerr, M. Cleavage of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin, by the type 1 IgA1 protease of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and its implications. Journal of Infectious Diseases. October 1, 2001 v184 i7 p9022.