February: The month of Gram Negative  Cocci:

​

1) Neisseria gonorrhoeae:

Location they are commonly found: Urethra, cervix, rectum or throat.In babies the eyes.

General information: In many cases patients do not have symptoms and a s a result they are unware that they are infected.

Symptoms and Illnesses:

• Thick yellow/ green discharge.

• Dysuria.

• Intermenstrual bleeding.

• Septic arthritis.

• Rectum: discharge from the anus include pus and blood, itchy anus.

• Sore throat and swollen lymph nodes.

• Conjuctivitis.

• Untreated gonorrohea results in pelvic inflammatory disease in women.

• Can also lead to disseminated gonococcal infection if untreated.

• Infertility.

Mode of transmission:

• Unprotected sex.

• Transmission can also be through sex toys.

• Babies can also contract it from their mothers when passing through the birth canal during labour.

​

​

2) Neisseria meningitidis:

• Location they are commonly found:

• Throat.

• It is thought that a small percentage of people always carry this bacteria in their throat, however their bodies immune system keeps the bacteria under control most of the time,

General information:

• Mass gatherings such as religious pilgrimages can facilitate the spread of this bacteria resulting in epidemics.

Illnesses:

• Meningococcal meningitis – common cause in children and adults.

Mode of transmission:

• Droplets – this can be via respiratory or throat secretions.

• Close contact: via kissing and living with someone with the inection.

​

3)Moraxella Catarralis:

​

Location they are commonly found:

• In the respiratory tract of young children, but it does not often cause infection.

• Immunocompromised adults can have it in their respiratory tract.

General information:

• Second commonest organism responsible for exacerbation of COPD.

Illnesses:

• Respiratory infections -  Acute and chronic sinus infections, not typically but can also cause bronchitis and pneumonia.

• Middle ear infections - Acute Otitis Media

• Conjuctivitis.

• Meningitis in newborns.

• Joint infections.

​

Risk groups:

• Immunocompromised children can develop severe respiratory infections.

​

​

4) Veillonella spp.​

Location they are commonly found: 

• Flora of mouth and gastrointestinal tract.

• Can also be found in the vagina.

General information:

• Literature notes that the bacteria can be mistaken for gonococcal infection and is also noted as contaminant in cultures.

• Other literature also notes that it does not commonly cause infections in humans.

Illnesses:

• Oral infections

• Soft tissue infections.

• Bite wounds

• Head and neck infections.​

• Sinus infections

• Heart infections

• Lung infections

• Bone infections and septic arthritis.

• Meningitis.

​

​

​

​