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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1978

Isolation of Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria catarrhalis from the genitourinary tract and anal canal.

During a 12-month period 285 isolates of Neisseria species, other than Neisseria gonorrhoeae, were cultured from patients attending the Department of Venereology, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh. There were eight patients in whom genitourinary or rectal isolates of Neisseria meningitidis or Neisseria catarrhalis were found. Differences between data from our series and from previous reports are discussed with particular regard to sites routinely cultured in female patients. We also report in vitro inhibition of N. gonorrhoeae by an isolate of N. meningitidis cultured from the cerivx of a patient.

Cervix Uteri↗
PubMed1979

Frequency of simultaneous carriage of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis.

Gonococci were found by culture in 112 of 442 patients suspected of having gonorrhoea. Meningococci were cultured from the pharynx more than twice as often in patients harbouring gonococci (26%) than in patients from whom gonococci could not be cultured (11%). These results could indicate an individual susceptibility to Neisseria organisms or they could be caused by a difference in the behaviour of patients with and without gonorrhoea, the conduct of the former making them not only more likely to be infected with Neisseria gonorrhoeae but possibly more exposed to Neisseria meningitidis as well.

Female↗
PubMed1978

Carriage of Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria lactamica in infants and children.

Asymptomatic carriage of Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria lactamica was studied in a total of 2,969 healthy infants and children in Danbury, Conn., between October 1971 and June 1975. The prevalence of N. meningitidis averaged 0.71% during the first four years of life and increased to 5.4% by 14--17 years. Rates of carriage of N. lactamica increased from 3.8% in three-month-old infants to a peak of 21.0% at 18 months and then declined to 1.8% by 14--17 years of age. Of the children who acquired N. lactamica, 66% developed fourfold or greater rises in titers of IgG antibody to groups A, B, and/or C meningococci as determined by immunofluorescence compared with only 5% of control children. Of new carriers of N. lactamica, 40% developed increased titers of bactericidal antibody to groups A, B, and/or C meningococci as compared with 7% of noncarriers. Carriage of N. lactamica may assist in the development of natural immunity to N. meningitidis by induction of cross-reactive antibodies.

Aging↗
PubMed1979

Pharyngeal colonisation by Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis in black and white patients attending a venereal disease clinic.

Pharyngeal colonisation by Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis was studies in 2000 patients attending a venereal disease clinic. Of these patients, 64% were white and 36% were black. The incidence of gonococcal infections was highest in the period from June to August. The incidence of genital or rectal infections or both was higher in the black patients. Pharyngeal colonisation by gonococci was present in 1.3% of the patients. There was no significant associations between pharyngeal colonisation and the pharyngeal symptoms, race, sex, or marital state of the patients. Pharyngeal colonisation was more frequent in patients with gonococcal infections at other sites. However, in 40.7% of the patients with pharyngeal colonisation, the pharynx was the only culture-positive site. There was no significant difference in the auxotypes or in the antibiotic susceptibility of the pharyngeal and the rectal-genital isolates except in the susceptibility to spectinomycin. Our findings do not indicate that gonococci isolated from the pharynx differ significantly from gonococci isolated from rectal or genital sites. It was notable that meningococcal colonisation of the pharynx was significantly more frequent in the white patients. This may be a genetically determined phenomenon.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteremia associated with C6, C7, or C8 deficiency.

We summarize data from 24 previously described or newly diagnosed cases of homozygous deficiency of the sixth, seventh, or eighth components of complement. Thirteen of 24 patients had at least one episode, and usually two or more episodes of Neisseria meningitidis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteremia, or both. Deficiency of C6, C7, or C8 is a meaningful risk factor for repeated neisserial bacteremia; conversely, hemolytic complement studies are indicated in patients who develop recurrent neisserial infections. When a person with C6, C7, or C8 deficiency is identified, family members should also be studied.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Identification of some basic extractable compounds produced by Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis in a defined medium.

Electron capture gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry have been used to identify some of the basic extractable heptafluorobutyric anhydride reactive compounds found in a defined medium after 20 h of growth by Neisseria gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis. Acetoin, 2,3-butanediol, pyrroline, and 1,3-diaminopropane were identified by both gas chromatography and mass spectrometry; 2-hydroxy-pyrrolidine and 3-aminomethyl-pyrrolidine were tentatively identified by mass spectrometry. A possible origin of the amines is through enzymatic oxidation of polyamines.

Acetoin↗
PubMed1978

Rapid identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis by using enzymatic profiles.

The enzymatic profiles of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, N. meningitidis, and related species were determined, using a total of 48 chromogenic substrates. Enzyme classes assayed for included glycosidases, aminopeptidases, phosphoamidases, proteases, lipases, esterases, and aryl sulfatase. A final test selection of 10 substrates, based upon their differential and reproducible characteristics, allowed the separation of N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis from each other and from all species tested within 4 h after primary isolation on modified Thayer-Martin medium. The need for subculturing suspect colonies from modified Thayer-Martin medium to chocolate medium with a subsequent loss of 18 to 24 h of identification is eliminated.

Aminopeptidases↗
PubMed1978

A simple manganous chloride and Congo red disc method for differentiating Neisseria gonorrhoeae from Neisseria meningitidis.

Manganous chloride and Congo red incorporated into blotting paper discs have been used to differentiate gonococci from meningococci. The new technique is simple and reliable; the materials for the test are inexpensive. The method will increase the efficiency of distinguishing between the pathogenic Neisseria in any clinical bacteriology laboratory and especially in those in the tropical areas.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1975

Physiology and metabolism of pathogenic Neisseria: partial characterization of the respiratory chain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

The cell membrane-associated respiratory electron transport chain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae was examined using electron paramagnetic spectroscopy (EPR) at liquid helium temperatures and optical spectroscopy at liquid nitrogen and room temperatures. EPR spectra of dithionite-reduced particles indicated the presence of centers N-1 and N-3 in the site I region of the respiratory chain, whereas reduction with succinate revealed the existence of center S-1 from the succinate cytochrome c reductase segment. Free radical(s) resembling that due to falvin semiquinone were observed with both reductants. Low temperature (77 K) optical difference spectra indicated the presence of cytochromes with alpha band maxima at 549, 557, and 562. Bands at 567, 535, and 417 nm, characteristic of the CO compound of cytochrome o, were also identified. Cytochromes a1 and a3 were not detected; however, a broad but weak absorbance with an alpha band maximun at 600 nm and a Soret shoulder at 440 nm was observed. Hence the respiratory chain of N. gonorrhoeae appears to contain several nonheme iron centers, cytochrome c, two b cytochromes, with cytochrome o which probably serves as the terminal oxidase.

Carbon Monoxide↗
PubMed1979

Comparison of three methods for identification of pathogenic Neisseria species.

A radiometric procedure was compared with the Minitek and Cystine Trypticase Agar sugar degradation methods for identification of 113 Neisseria species (58 Neisseria meningitidis, 51 Neisseria gonorrhoeae, 2 Neisseria lactamica, 2 Neisseria sicca). Identification of meningococci and gonococci was confirmed by agglutination and fluorescent antibody techniques, respectively. The Minitek method identified 97% of meningococci, 92% of gonococci, and 100% of other Neisseria after 4 h of incubation. The radiometric (Bactec) procedure identified 100% of gonococci and 100% of miscellaneous Neisseria after 3 h, but problems were encountered with meningococci: 45% of the later strains yielded index values for fructose between 20 and 28 (recommended negative cut-off point, less than 20), with strongly positive (greater than 100) glucose and maltose and negative o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside reactions in all 58 strains. The Cystine Trypticase Agar method identified 91% of meningococci, 90% of gonococci, and 100% of other Neisseria after 24 to 48 h. Prolongation of the Cystine Trypticase Agar incubation period led to abnormal lactose/sucrose reactions in some meningococci and gonococci. Radiometric and Minitek systems are more accurate and convenient than Cystine Trypticase Agar techniques, but, on the basis of these results, radiometric fructose sensitivity levels for meningococci need reevaluation.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1978

Induction of DNA synthesis in lymphocytes in vitro by various bacteria, with special reference to Neisseria gonorrhoeae, in patients with uro-arthritis (Reiter's disease).

Antigen-induced lymphocyte proliferation was studied by quantitation of 14C-thymidine uptake in cell cultures. The induction of DNA synthesis in vitro in lymphocytes from patients with uro-arthritis after stimulation by whole cells of virulent and avirulent N. gonorrhoeae, meningococci group B, and apathogenic Neisseria (N. pharyngis) was compared with the DNA synthesis in lymphocytes from healthy controls after stimulation with the same Neisseria antigens. The difference between patients and the controls was found to be highly significant after stimulation with virulent or avirulent N. gonorrhoeae organisms but not after stimulation with apathogenic Neisseria. An analysis of the correlation of the lymphocyte reactivity to all the Neisseria antigens showed a highly significant correlation between the response of uro-arthritis patients to the two types of gonococcal antigen (0.932*** and 0.859***), a lower correlation coefficient for group B meningococci and virulent or avirulent gonococci (0.724*** and 0.714***) and no correlation at all between apathogenic Neisseria and gonococci. The DNA synthesis in lymphocytes stimulated by N. gonorrhoeae and other Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was also studied in cell cultures obtained from other healthy controls as well as uro-arthritis patients. There was no significant difference between the patients and the controls with regard to the response to apathogenic Neisseria and other non-Neisseria antigens.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Identification of clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by a coagglutination test.

Ninety-eight per cent of laboratory isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from a veneral disease clinic gave positive reactions with a gonococcal coagglutination test. The prototype reagent, however, was poor at distinguishing between different species of the genus Neisseria: 75% of strains of Neisseria meningitidis and 40% of other Neisseria species tested gave positive reactions. None of the origanisms other than Neisseria growing on the diagnostic cultures from the clinic gave positive reactions. We therefore suggest that the present reagent is unsuitable for testing isolates from the upper respiratory tract. The technique is simple, rapid, and convenient and with a more specific antibody could be useful. Results of coagglutination reactions of 126 strains of Neisseria grown on serum-containing and serum-free media were very similar and there is no need to use special serum-free media.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1975

Enzyme electrophoretograms in the analysis of taxon relatedness of Micrococcus cryophilus, Branhamella catarrhalis and atypical Neisserias.

Extracts were prepared from Micrococcus cryophilus, several strains of Branhamella catarrhalis and Neisseria spp. Esterases, NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase activities were assayed after electrophoresis of extracts of polyacrylamide gels. Except for Neisseria perflava and N. sicca which resolved activity bands for the acetate-esterase only, the remaining bacteria exhibited species-specific esterase patterns also for the propionate and butyrate substrates. The multiple esterase patterns from B. catarrhalis ATCC25238 were qualitatively and quantitatively different from those of B. catarrhalis ATCC23246. This finding and other evidence supports a taxonomic shift of the latter to a species level of that genus. The atypical neisserias N. caviae and N. ovis appeared to exhibit an intrageneric specificity in their esterase patterns with those from B. catarrhalis but not to the other Neisseria spp. tested. The malate dehydrogenase patterns from the atypical neisserias and B. catarrhalis ATCC23246 were qualitatively similar; however, the patterns of isocitrate dehydrogenase activity were variable for these species. Micrococcus cryophilus was distinct in its esterase and dehydrogenase bands, strongly suggesting its taxon unrelatedness to the genus Branhammella or the atypical neisserias. Of the enzymes assayed, esterase proved to be the most reliable for taxonomic identifications.

Acetates↗
PubMed1977

Relationship of pili to colonial morphology among pathogenic and nonpathogenic species of Neisseria.

Growth in colonies with type 1 morphology and the presence of pili are characteristics that have been associated with virulence of gonococci for humans. To determine whether the presence of pili per se might be responsible for colony type 1 morphology, the relationship of pili to colony type was examined in various species of Neisseria. Short pili (175 to 210 nm in length) were seen only on nonpathogenic neisseria, whereas long pili (up to 4,300 nm) were seen on organisms of both nonpathogenic and pathogenic species. Although long pili, similar to those found on organisms from high-domed, type 1 colonies of gonococci, were observed on organisms from high-domed, type 1 colonies of nonpathogenic Neisseria species, they were also observed on low-convex, type 4 colonies of meningococci and nonpathogenic neisseria. Among meningococci there was no difference in the morphology of colonies consisting of organisms with many long pili and colonies consisting of organisms that completely lacked pili. Thus, there was no consistent relationship of pili to colonial morphology. Unless the pili of N. gonorrhoeae are unique among Neisseria species in their influence on colonial morphology, it is likely that factors other than pili determine colony type 1 morphology of gonococci. Whether these same factors, either alone or in conjunction with pili, are also responsible for gonococcal virulence warrants further investigation.

Neisseria↗
PubMed1979

Inhibition of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by normal human saliva.

Saliva was found to be a powerful and specific inhibitor of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Although 28 other species of bacteria were tested, including Neisseria meningitidis, Neisseria pharyngis var flava, Neisseria lactamica, and Neisseria catarrhalis, we failed to find any others sensitive to saliva under similar conditions. The physical properties of the inhibitory substance indicated that it might be salivary alpha-amylase. To test this hypothesis alpha-amylase was extracted from saliva and was shown to have a high antigonococcal activity. Hog pancreas alpha-amylase also showed strong antigonococcal activity, thus the observations indicate that for the strains we tested alpha-amylase is inhibitory to gonococci. This observation indicates that either the gonococcal outer cell wall contains some unique lipopolysaccharides or that the gonococcus is unusually dependent on the integrity of these moieties. Whichever speculation proves to be true it indicates a need for a careful study of the gonococcal cell wall.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae specific antibodies.

An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using rigid polystyrene microtiter plates was adapted to detect specific gonococcal antibodies against outer membrane-complex antigens extracted from Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The concentration of antigen to obtain maximum coating of the well was 10 micrograms protein per millilitre. The optimal binding of the primary antibody and enzyme-conjugated antimmunoglobulin was achieved after 1 h at 37 degrees C. Under these conditions using gonococcal antisera, no cross-reactivity was observed with outer membrane antigens extracted from Neisseria meningitidis serogroups B, C, X, Y, and W135. Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A demonstrated low levels of cross-reactivity. All the non-pathogenic Neisseria spp. tested were negative (absorbance value at 400 nm/30 min less than 0.15). The reaction of immune serum against outer membrane complex absorbed to the microwells was completely inhibited with soluble-specific antigen but not with purified N. gonorrhoeae lipopolysaccharide. Quantitative inhibition permitted the measurement of low levels of antigen (0.5 microgram/ml). The detection of N. gonorrhoeae antibody with ELISA is specific and highly sensitive.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1979

Dihydrofolate reductase from Neisseria sp.

Members of the genus Neisseria are relatively nonsusceptible to trimethoprim, an inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase. For example, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of trimethoprim for N. gonorrhoeae ranges from 2 to 70 mug/ml, whereas the MIC for Escherichia coli is 0.2 mug/ml or less. In an effort to understand this difference, dihydrofolate reductase was partially purified from five Neisseria species and compared with the enzyme from E. coli. N. gonorrhoeae dihydrofolate reductase was similar to that from E. coli in molecular weight (18,000) and affinity for the substrates reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and dihydrofolate (K(m) = 13 and 8 muM, respectively). However, the gonococcal enzyme had a decreased affinity for trimethoprim, with an apparent K(i) of 45 x 10(-9) M, some 30-fold greater than the E. coli value of 1.2 x 10(-9) M. These enzymes also differed in their isoelectric points and pH activity profiles. Within the genus Neisseria, the dihydrofolate reductase isolated from N. meningitidis and N. lactamica resembled the N. gonorrhoeae enzyme, and only small differences were detected for the N. flavescens and Branhamella catarrhalis dihydrofolate reductases. These data indicate that the relatively poor affinity of trimethoprim for the dihydrofolate reductase from these organisms may be largely responsible for the relative nonsusceptibility of Neisseria sp. to trimethoprim. The contribution of other resistance mechanisms to the overall nonsusceptibility was assessed. Strains of N. gonorrhoeae with altered cell envelope permeability had MIC values less than twofold different from those of isogenic wild-type strains. Also, a direct relationship was observed between the affinity of trimethoprim analogs for gonococcal dihydrofolate reductase and the MIC of these compounds for the gonococcus. These observations suggest that the cell envelope of N. gonorrhoeae is not impermeable to trimethoprim. Changes in the amount of dihydrofolate reductase activity could cause alterations in the susceptibility of the gonococcus to trimethoprim, as demonstrated with N. gonorrhoeae strains selected for trimethoprim resistance after chemical mutagenesis. However, the level of dihydrofolate reductase activity in wild-type N. gonorrhoeae was similar to that of E. coli, indicating that the difference in the susceptibility of these organisms is not due to greater amounts of enzyme in N. gonorrhoeae.

Bacteria↗