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Neisseria (Neis·se·ria) (ni-se´re-ә) [A.L.S. Neisser] a genus of bacteria of the family Neisseriaceae, consisting of gram-negative, oxidase-positive cocci characteristically coffee bean–shaped and paired. The organisms are aerobic or facultatively anaerobic and are part of the normal flora of the oropharynx, nasopharynx, and genitourinary tract. The genus includes the gonococcus, the several meningococcus types, pigmented forms occasionally associated with meningitis, and a number of saprophytic or parasitic but nonpathogenic species. The type species is N. gonorrhoe´ae.
Neisseria flaves´cens
a species characterized by the production of yellow pigmented colonies. It is sometimes found in the body fluids of patients
with meningitis and septicemia.
Neisseria gonorrhoe´ae
the specific etiologic agent of gonorrhea, occurring typically as pairs of flattened cells, found primarily in purulent venereal
discharges.
Neisseria lacta´mica
a species that ferments lactose, found frequently in throat and nasopharyngeal cultures of infants and young children; it
occasionally causes endocarditis and meningitis in humans.
Neisseria meningi´tidis
a prominent cause of meningitis and the specific etiologic agent of
meningococcal meningitis; it can also cause
meningococcal pneumonia, a type of bacterial pneumonia (see under pneumonia). Species can be differentiated serologically into at least 13 groups (A, B, C, D, E, H, I, K, L, W-135, X, Y, and Z); groups
A, B, and C are responsible for most cases of disease, with B and C being predominant in Europe and the Americas and A and
C predominant in Asia and Africa.
Neisseria muco´sa
a species that produces mucoid colonies that are often adherent; it is found in the human nasopharynx and is occasionally
pathogenic, causing pneumonia.
Neisseria sic´ca
a species characterized by dry grayish or slimy white or yellow colonies, which is part of the normal flora of the human nasopharynx,
saliva, and sputum.
Neisseria subfla´va
a species that produces smooth, yellow-pigmented colonies, found in the human nasopharynx and occasionally in cerebrospinal
fluid in cases of meningitis.
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