NEISSERIE

Pathogenic species
N.meningitidis MENINGOCOCCUS
N. gonorrheae GONOCOCCUS
N.meningitidis MENINGOCOCCUS

 G-
 Diplococci
 Oval
 Present in polymorphonuclear pus cells of
the exudates of infected tissues
SPUTUM SMEAR FROM A PATIENT WITH A
MENINGOCOCCAL PNEUMONIA
 The diplococcal morphology
characteristically has a kidney bean
shape with the flat ends of the cocci back
to back .
 One cannot determine the species ofNeisseria from
the morphology only .
Clinical menifestation of
meningococcal infection
Site of menifestation outcome
infection
blood Waterhouse friderichsen fatal
syndrome

Blood Septicaemia,rash Approx.50% mortality

Blood& Septicaemia,rash &meningitis

CSF

Blood Meningitis with no rash Approx.6 % mortality

chest pneumonia Recovery with

treatment
The Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome

 a severe complication of meningococcal

infection.
 is a disease of the adrenal glands
 The infection leads to massive
hemorrhage into one or (usually) both
adrenal glands
Septicaemia

 Extensive haemorrhage into the skin

 Hypotension
 Shock
 Confusion
 Coma
 Death within a few hours of the onset of symptoms.
 Disseminated intravascular coagulation due to
activation of complement system can also occur.
 Haemorrhage into adrenal glands
Growth requirement

 Stringent- heated blood + nutrient agar

 35-36º C
 Moist atm.
 5-10% CO2
 8-24 h incubation
 Susceptible to inhibitory substances found
in media
Colony and cellular characteristics

 Grey glistening
 Convex
 0.5-1.0 mm in diameter
 Cells with fimbrea for attachment to
mucosal surface
 Resistant to killing by phagocytes
 + for cytochrome oxidase test
Carbohydrate utilization

 Acid production from glucose and maltose

 Pathogenic strains –non lactose
fermentor& Non sucrose fermentor
Non pathogenic strains- lactose fermentor
+ for beta galactosidase test
identification

 Sero typing by LPS and capsular antigen

 Lab diagnosis by-
 Blood culture/lumber puncture
 PCR to detect DNA in blood and CSF