Neisseriales

This is a photomicrograph of a Gram-stained urethral exudate sample from a male who presented with a case of urethritis. In this particular view, numbers of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) were visible, however, no organisms were evident. This specimen proved to be negative for the presence of Gram-negative Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria.Created: 1974

Magnified 1125X, this photomicrograph revealed the presence of numerous Gram-negative bacilli, i.e., rod-shaped organisms, Eikenella corrodens, which in part, derives its name from the fact that when this organism is grown on agar medium, it appears to erode the medium. E. corrodens is a facultative anaerobic organism, which means that in the presence of environmental oxygen it creates ATP, but switches to fermentation in oxygen’s absence. As a commensal organism, E. corrodens is normally found in the human mouth and upper airways, and has been found to be the cause of infection in cancer patients, and patients injured through a bite injury.Created: 1972

This is a photomicrograph of a Gram-stained urethral exudate sample from a male who presented with a case of urethritis. In this particular view, no Gram-negative diplococci were evident, however, in PHIL 1908 and 2307, which featured other views of this specimen, Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria, were found to be present.Created: 1974

This 1972 image depicted the morphologic appearance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae colonies after having grown for a period of 24 hours on GC media base agar supplemented with IsoVitaleX. These were photographed here at a magnification of 50X. GC media base agar is used in the isolation of N. gonorrhoeae bacteria, and is often used in conjunction with various antibiotics, in order to determine N. gonorrhoeae antimicrobial sensitivity/selectivity.What are the signs and symptoms of gonorrhea?Some men with gonorrhea may have no symptoms at all. However, some men have signs or symptoms that appear two to five days after infection; symptoms can take as long as 30 days to appear. Symptoms and signs include a burning sensation when urinating, or a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis. Sometimes men with gonorrhea get painful or swollen testicles.Created: 1972

This 1972 image depicted the morphologic appearance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae colonies after having grown for a period of 24 hours on GC media base agar supplemented with IsoVitaleX. These were photographed here at a magnification of 50X. GC media base agar is used in the isolation of N. gonorrhoeae bacteria, and is often used in conjunction with various antibiotics, in order to determine N. gonorrhoeae antimicrobial sensitivity/selectivity.What is gonorrhea?Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women, and in the urethra (urine canal) in women and men. The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus.Created: 1972

This scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicted four views of Gram-negative Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria. Under this highly-magnified view, details of the protective, adhesive matrix, which this colony had secreted is revealed. This molecular matrix consists of polymeric constituents known as the extracellular polymeric substance, or EPS. Typically, these cocci appear as paired diplococci, which have been outlined in color. See PHIL 10248 for a black and white version of this image.Created: 1973

This scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicted four views of Gram-negative Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria. Under this highly-magnified view, details of the protective, adhesive matrix, which this colony had secreted is revealed. This molecular matrix consists of polymeric constituents known as the extracellular polymeric substance, or EPS. See PHIL 10250 for an enlarged view of the colorized inset, which distinguishes the diplococcal pairs.Created: 1973

This scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicted three views of a single Gram-negative Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. Under this highly-magnified view, the roughened texture of the bacterium’s cell wall is made visible. As a Gram-negative bacterium, N. gonorrhoeae possess a thinner cell wall than its Gram-positive cousins, composed of peptidoglycan molecular layers that are sandwiched between a lipid membrane layer.Created: 1973

Electron micrograph of Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria, the causative agent of gonorrhea; magnification 100,000X.Created: 1971