what is neisseria gonorrhoeae

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a type of bacteria that causes the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea. It is a Gram-negative, diplococcus-shaped bacterium that colonizes humans and is never present in normal flora. The infection usually spreads through vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Gonorrhea is treatable and curable with antibiotics, but the emergence of N. gonorrhoeae resistant to antibiotics is making treatment more challenging, with the risk of becoming untreatable. Untreated N. gonorrhoeae infections can lead to complications and sequelae in both women and men, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, scrotal swelling, urethral stricture, and infertility. Neonatal conjunctivitis, if untreated, may lead to blindness. The bacterium infects and grows rapidly in mucous membranes, especially in the reproductive tract, rectum, and the urethra, but also in the mouth, throat, and eyes. It can be detected through culture and nonculture tests, with the nucleic acid amplification test being a newer and accurate nonculture technique. Gonorrhea infections can happen to any sexually active person, but sometimes are asymptomatic, leading to up to half of all infections).