MICROBIOLOGY

• Gram-negative diplococcus, oxidase and catalase-positive.
  • Grows best on blood agar medium or chocolate medium (blood heated at 176-194^o F, Fig 1).
    • Has a loose capsule and pili. Antigenic variation of pili can be used for epidemiological characterization.
    • Strains with nutrient requirements for arginine, hypoxanthine or uracil are more likely to cause asymptomatic infection.
• Infects surfaces lined with columnar epithelial cells: endocervix, urethra, anogenital and oropharyngeal mucous membranes, conjunctiva.
• Always considered pathogenic when identified.