Nonpathogenic Neisseria


Neisseria are gram-negative cocci-shaped bacteria. Of all species, only two are pathogenic to humans, N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae.

Oral neisseria

  • Gram-negative, non-sporulating aerobic bacteria;
  • very little pathogenicity, such as pathogens in exceptional cases;
  • common oral and pharyngeal flora;
  • importance in the oral ecosystem (N. sicca, N. subflava, N. lactamica);
  • pathogenicity outside the oral cavity;
  • infections of endogenous origin;
  • higher risk of pathogenicity in immunocompromised patients (endocarditis, meningitis).

Cultivation

  • It is very easy to cultivate, blood agar is sufficient.

Biochemistry

  • The most active of the whole family, by means of the difference in activity, they can be distinguished from other Neisseria.

Diagnostics

  • Cultivation, possible confusion with beta-hemolytic streptococci (for differentiation oxidase test is used), NeisseriaTest;
  • N. lactamica and N. cinerea - growth on soil for gonococci, beware of confusion!

Therapy

  • As with other Neisseria, some strains produce beta-lactamase.


Bibliography

  • VOTAVA, Miroslav. Lékařská mikrobiologie speciální. 1. edition. Brno : Neptun, 2003. 495 pp. ISBN 80-902896-6-5.