Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Gonococcal Infections

  • Chapter
Bacterial Infections of Humans

  • 125 Accesses

Abstract

Gonococcal infections have plagued the human race for centuries. A complex interaction of human sexual behavior, social and health-related factors, and biological characteristics of Neisseria gonorrhoeae determines the epidemiology of gonorrhea. The term gonorrhea, which means “a flow of seed,” is inadequate to encompass the vast array of clinical manifestations of gonococcal infection. After the gonococcus initially infects columnar and transitional epithelium (eye, oropharynx, respiratory tract, anal canal, uterine cervix, urethra), serious complications can arise through tubal strictures or bacteremia.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 74.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Alexander, E. R., and Harrison, H. R., Role of Chlamydia trachomatis in perinatal infection, Rev. Infect. Dis. 5:713–719 (1983).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Alfonso, E., Friedland, B., Hupp, S., Olsen, K., Senikowich, K., Sklar, V. E. F., and Forster, R. K., Neisseria gonorrhoeae conjunctivitis. An outbreak during an epidemic of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, J. Am. Med. Assoc. 250:794–795 (1983).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Altchek, A., Pediatric vulvovaginitis, Pediatr. Clin. North Am. 19:559–580 (1972).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Aral, S. O., Schaffer, J. E., Mosher, W. D., and Gates, W., Jr., Gonorrhea rates: What denominator is most appropriate? Am. J. Public Health 78:702–703 (1988).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Babione, R. W., Hedgecock, L. G., and Ray, J. P., Naval experience with oral use of penicillin as a prophylaxis, U.S. Armed Forces Med. J. 3:973–990 (1952).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Barnes, R. C., and Holmes, K. K., Epidemiology of gonorrhea, Epidemiol. Rev. 6:1–30 (1984).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Berger, R. E., Alexander, E. R., Monda, G. D., Ansell, J., McCormick, G., and Holmes, K. K., Chlamydia trachomatis as a cause of acute idiopathic epididymitis, N. Engl. J. Med. 298:301–304 (1978).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Bignell, C. J., Flannigan, K., and Millar, M. R., Antimicrobial substances in urine of patients attending department of genitourinary medicine, Genitourin. Med. 62:264–266 (1986).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Boslego, J. W., Tramont, E. C., Takafuji, E. T., Diniega, B. M., Mitchell, B. S., Small, J. W., Khan, W. N., and Stein, D. C., Effect of spectinomycin use on the prevalence of spectinomycin-resistant and of penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae, N. Engl. J. Med. 317:272–278 (1987).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Branch, G., and Paxton, R., A study of gonococcal infections among infants and children, Public Health Rep. 80:347–352 (1965).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Britigan, B. E., Cohen, M. S., and Sparling, P. F., Gonococcal infection: A model of molecular pathogenesis, N. Engl. J. Med. 312:1683–1694 (1985).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Cannon, J. G., and Sparling, P. F., The genetics of the gonococcus, Annu. Rev. Microbiol. 38:111–113 (1984).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Centers for Disease Control, Declining rates of rectal and pharyngeal gonorrhea among males-New York City, Morbid. Mortal. Weekly Rep. 33:295–297 (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Centers for Disease Control, Penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae-United States, Florida, Morbid. Mortal. Weekly Rep. 35:12–14 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Centers for Disease Control, Multiple strain outbreak of penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae-Denver, Colorado, Morbid. Mortal. Weekly Rep. 35:534–543 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  16. Centers for Disease Control, Sexually transmitted disease statistics-1988, U.S. Public Health Service, Atlanta, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Centers for Disease Control, Antibiotic-resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Policy guidelines for detection, management, and control, Morbid. Mortal. Weekly Rep. 36(Suppl. 5S): 1S–18S (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  18. Centers for Disease Control, Disseminated gonorrhea caused by penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Morbid Mortal. Weekly Rep. 36:161–167 (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  19. Centers for Disease Control, Sentinel surveillance system for antimicrobial resistance in clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Morbid Mortal. Weekly Rep. 36:585–593 (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  20. Centers for Disease Control, Outbreak of a distinct strain of penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae-King County, Washington, Morbid. Mortal. Weekly Rep. 36:757–759 (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  21. Centers for Disease Control, Condoms for Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Morbid. Mortal. Weekly Rep. 37:133–137 (1988).

    Google Scholar 

  22. Dallabetta, G., and Hook, E. W., III, Gonococcal infections, Infect. Dis. Clin. North Am. 1:25–54 (1987).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Darrow, W. W., Sexual behavior in America: Implications for the control of sexually transmitted diseases, in:Sexually Transmitted Diseases (Y. Felman, ed.), pp. 261–280, Churchill-Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Densen, P., Gulati, S., and Rice, P. A., Specificity of antibodies against Neisseria gonorrhoeae that stimulate neutrophil chemotaxis, J. Clin. Invest. 80:78–87 (1987).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Easmon, C. S. F., Gonococcal resistance to antibiotics, J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 16:409–417 (1985).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Eisenberg, M. S., and Wiesner, P. J., Reporting and treating gonorrhea: Results of a statewide survey in Alaska, J. Am. Vener. Dis. Assoc. 3:79–83 (1976).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Faruki, H., Kohmescher, R. N., Mckinney, W. P., and Sparling, P. F., A community-based outbreak of infection with penicillin-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae not producing penicillinase (chromosomally-mediated resistance), N. Engl. J. Med. 313:607–611 (1985).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Folland, D. S., Burke, R. E., Hinman, A. R., and Schaffner, W., Gonorrhea in preadolescent children: An inquiry into source of infection, Pediatrics 60:153–156 (1977).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Forbes, G. B., and Forbes, G. M., Silver nitrate and the eyes of the newborn: Crede’s contribution to preventive medicine, Am. J. Dis. Child. 121:1–5 (1971).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Foster, M. T., and Labrum, A. L. T., Relation of infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae to Abo blood groups, J. Infect. Dis. 133:329–330 (1976).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Fransen, L., Nsanze, H., Klauss, V., Van Der Stuyft, P., D’Costa, L., Brunham, R. C., and Piot, P., Ophthalmia neonatorum in Nairobi, Kenya: The roles of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis, J. Infect. Dis. 153:862–869 (1986).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Gale, J. L., and Hinds, M. W., Male urethritis in King County, Washington 1974–75: 1. Incidence, Am. J. Public Health 68:20–25 (1978).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Gilbaugh, J. H., and Fuchs, P. C., The gonococcus and the toilet seat,N. Engl. J. Med. 301:91–93 (1979).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Goh, C. L., Meija, P., Sng, E. H., Rajan, V. S., and Thirumoorhty, T., Chemoprophylaxis and gonococcal infections in prostitutes, Int. J. Epidemiol. 13:344–346 (1984).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Goodhart, G. E., Ogden, J., Zaidi, A. A., and Kraus, S. K., Factors affecting the performance of smear and culture for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Sex. Transm. Dis. 9:63–68 (1982).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Grimes, D. A., Deaths due to sexually transmitted diseases, Am. Med. Assoc. 255:1727–1729 (1986).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Handsfield, H. H., Declining incidence of gonorrhea among homosexually active men-Minimal effect on risk of AIDS, West. J. Med. 143:469–470 (1985).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Handsfield, H. H., Lipman, T. O., Harnisch, J. B., Tronca, E., and Holmes, K. K., Asymptomatic gonorrhea in men: Diagnosis, natural course, prevalence, and significance, N. Engl. J. Med. 290:117–123 (1970).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Harrison, W. O., Hooper, R. R., Wiesner, P. J., Campbell, A. F., Karney, W. W., Reynolds, G. H., Jones, O. G., and Holmes, K. K., A trial of minocycline given after exposure to prevent gonorrhea, N. Engl. J. Med. 300:1074–1078 (1979).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Holmes, K. K., Johnson, D. W., and Trostle, H. J., An estimate of the risk of men acquiring gonorrhea by sexual contact with infected females, Am. J. Epidemiol. 91:17–24 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  41. Holmes, K. K., Counts, G. W., and Beaty, H. N., Disseminated gonococcal infection, Ann. Intern. Med. 74:979–993 (1971).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Hook, E. W., and Holmes, K. K., Gonococcal infections, Ann. Intern. Med. 102:229–243 (1985).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Hooten, T. M., and Barnes, R. C., Urethritis in men,Infect. Dis. Clin. North Am. 1:165–178 (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  44. Hutt, D. M., and Judson, F. N., Epidemiology and treatment of oropharyngeal gonorrhea, Ann. Intern. Med. 104:655–658 (1986).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Jacobs, N. F., and Kraus, S. K., Gonococcal and nongonococcal urethritis in men. Clinical and laboratory differentiation, Ann. Intern. Med. 82:7–12 (1975).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Jacobson, L., and Westrom, L., Objectivized diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease, Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 18:35 (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  47. Jaffe, H. W., Zaidi, A. A., Thornsberry, C., Reynolds, G. H., and Wiesner, P. J., Trends and seasonality of antibiotic resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, J. Infect. Dis. 136:684–688 (1977).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Jaffe, H. W., Lewis, J. S., and Wiesner, P. J., Vancomycin-sensitive Neisseria gonorrhoeae, J. Infect. Dis. 144:198 (1981).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Jaffe, H. W., Biddle, J. W., Johnson, S. R., and Wiesner, P. J., Infections due to penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the United States: 1976–80, J. Infect. Dis. 144:191–197 (1981).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Joiner, K. A., Scales, R., Warren, K. A., Frank, M. M., and Rice, P. A., Mechanism of action of blocking immunoglobulin G for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, J. Clin. Invest. 76:1765–1772 (1985).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Jones, R. B., Rabinovitch, R. A., Katz, B. P., Batleiger, B. E., Wuinn, T. S., Terho, P., and Lapworth, M. A., Chlamydia trachomatis from the rectum and pharynx of heterosexual patients at risk for genital infection, Ann. Intern. Med. 102:757–762 (1985).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Judson, F. N., Ehret, J. M., and Handsfield, H. H., Comparative study of ceftriaxone and spectinomycin for treatment of pharyngeal and anorectal gonorrhea, J. Am. Med. Assoc. 253:1417–1419 (1985).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Kearns, D. H., O’Reilly, R. J., Lee, L., and Welch, B. G., Secretory IgA antibodies in the urethral exudate of men with uncomplicated urethritis due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae,J. Infect. Dis. 127:99–101 (1973).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Klein, E. J., Fisher, L. S., Chow, A. W., and Guze, L. B., Anorectal gonococcal infection, Ann. Intern. Med. 86:340–346 (1977).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Knapp, J. S., Tam, M. R., Nowinski, R. C., Holmes, K. K., and Sandstrom, E. G., Serological classification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with use of monoclonal antibodies to gonococcal outer membrane protein I, J. Infect. Dis. 150:44–48 (1984).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Knapp, J. S., Sandstrom, E. G., and Holmes, K. K., Overview of epidemiological and clinical applications of auxotype/serovar classification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, in:The Pathogenic Neisseriae (G. K. Schoolnik, ed.), pp. 6–12, American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C., 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Knapp, J. S., Zenilman, J. M., Biddle, J. W., Perkins, G. H., Dewitt, W. E., Thomas, M. L., Johnson, S. R., and Morse, S. A., Frequency and distribution in the United States of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with plasmid-mediated, high-level resistance to tetracycline, J. Infect. Dis. 155:819–822 (1987).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Kohl, P. K., and Buchanan, T. M., Serotype-specific bactericidal activity of monoclonal antibodies to protein I of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, in:The Pathogenic Neisseria (G. K. Schoolnik, ed.), pp. 442–444, American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C., 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  59. Koss, P. G., Disseminated gonococcal infection-The ten osynovitis-dermatitis and suppurative arthritis syndromes, Cleveland Clin. Q. 52:161–173 (1985).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Laga, M., Plummer, F. A., and Piot, P., Prophylaxis of gonococcal and chlamydial ophthalmia neonatorum, N. Engl. J. Med. 318:653–657 (1988).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Lebedoff, D. A., and Hochman, E. B., Rectal gonorrhea in men: Diagnosis and treatment, Ann. Intern. Med. 92:463–466 (1980).

    Google Scholar 

  62. Louv, W. C., Austin, H., Alexander, W. J., Stagno, S., and Cheeks, J., A clinical trial of nonoxynol-9 for preventing gonococcal and chlamydial infections, J. Infect. Dis. 158:518–523 (1988).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Martin, R., Coopes, S., Neagle, P., England, E. H., and Wentworth, B. B., Comparison of Thayer-Martin, Transgrow, and Gonozyme for detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a low-risk population, Sex. Transm. Dis. 13:108–110 (1986).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Masi, A. T., and Eisenstein, B. I., Disseminated gonococcal infection and gonococcal arthritis: II. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, complications, treatment, prevention, Semin. Arthritis Rheum. 10:173–197 (1981).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. McCutchan, J. A., Katzenstein, D., Norquist, D., Chikami, G., Wunderlich, A., and Braude, A. I., Role of blocking antibody in disseminated gonococcal infection, J. Immunol. 121:1884–1888 (1978).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. McGee, Z. A., Johnson, A. P., and Taylor-Robinson, D., Pathogenic mechanisms of Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Observations on damage to human fallopian tubes in organ culture by gonococci of colony type 1 or type 4, J. Infect. Dis. 143:413–422 (1981).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Morello, J. A., Janda, W. M., and Bohnhoff, M. Neisseria and Branhamella, in:Manual of Clinical Microbiology (E. H. Lennette, A. Balows, W. J. Hausler, and H. J. Shadomy, eds.), pp. 179–192, American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D. C., 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  68. Morse, S. A., Johnson, S. R., Biddle, J. W., and Roberts, M. C., High-level tetracycline resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is result of acquisition of streptococcal tetM determinant, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 30:664–670 (1987).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  69. Neinstein, L., Golddenring, J., and Carpenter, S., Nonsexual transmission of sexually transmitted diseases: An infrequent occurrence, Pediatrics 74:67–76 (1984).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Neisseria gonorrhoeae and gonococcal infections, Report of a WHO Scientific Group, Technical Report Series, No. 616, Who, Geneva, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  71. O’Brien, J. P., Goldenberg, D. L., and Rice, P. A., Disseminated gonococcal infection: A prospective analysis of 49 patients and a review of pathophysiology and immune mechanisms, Medicine 62:395–406 (1983).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Osborne, N. G., and Grubin, L., Colonization of the pharynx with Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Experience in a clinic for sexually transmitted disease, Sex. Transm. Dis. 6:253–256 (1979).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Ostrow, D. G., and Altman, N. L., Sexually transmitted diseases and homosexuality, Sex. Transm. Dis. 10:208–215 (1983).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Pasquierello, C. A., Plotkin, S. A., Rice, R. J., and Hackney, J. R., Fatal gonococcal septicemia, Pediatr. Infect. Dis. 4:204–206 (1985).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  75. Pederson, A. H. B., and Bonin, P., Screening females for asymptomatic gonococcal infection, Northwest. Med. 70:225–261 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  76. Peterson, B. H., Lee, T. J., Snyderman, R., and Brooks, G. F., Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteremia associated with C6, C7, or C8 deficiency, Ann. Intern. Med. 90:917–920 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  77. Platt, R., Rice, P. A., and McCormack, W. M., Risk of acquiring gonorrhea and prevalence of abnormal adnexal findings among women recently exposed to gonorrhea, J. Am. Med. Assoc. 250:3205–3209 (1983).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Potterat, J. J., Markewich, G. S., and Rothenberg, R., Prepubertal infections with Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Clinical and epidemiologic significance, Sex. Transm. Dis. 5:1–3 (1978).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. Quinn, T. C., Stamm, W. E., Goodell, S. E., Mkrtichian, E., Benedetti, J., Corey, L., Schuffler, M. D., and Holmes, K. K., The polymicrobial origin of intestinal infection in homosexual men, N. Engl. J. Med. 309:576 (1983).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. Rice, R. J., Aral, S. O., Blount, J. H., and Zaidi, A. A., Gonorrhea in the United States 1975–1984: Is the giant only sleeping? Sex. Transm. Dis. 14:83–87 (1987).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Rinaldi, R. Z., Harrison, W. O., and Fan, P. T., Penicillin-resistant gonococcal arthritis: A report of four cases, Ann. Intern. Med. 97:43–45 (1982).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Roberts, M. C., and Knapp, J. S., Transfer of β-lactamase plasmids from Neisseria gonorrhoeae to Neisseria meningitidis and commensal Neisseria by the 25.2 megadalton conjugative plasmid, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 32:1430–1432 (1988).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Robertson, P., and Schachter, J., Failure to identify venereal disease in a lesbian population, Sex. Transm. Dis. 8:75–76 (1981).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Rothenberg, R. B., The geography of gonorrhea, Am. J. Epidemiol. 117:688–694 (1983).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  85. Rothenberg, R. B., and Potterat, J. J., Temporal and social aspects of gonorrhea transmission: The force of infectivity, Sex. Transm. Dis. 15:88–92 (1988).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. Sackel, S. G., Alpert, S., Fiumara, N. J., Donner, A., Laughlin, C. A., and Mccormack, W. M., Orogenital contact and the isolation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma hominis, and Ureaplasma urealyticum from the pharynx, Sex. Transm. Dis. 6:64–68 (1979).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. Sarafian, S. K., Tam, M. R., and Morse, S. A., Gonococcal protein-I-specific opsonic IgG in normal human serum, J. Infect. Dis. 148:1025–1032 (1983).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. Schmid, G. P., Johnson, R. E., Brenner, E. R., and The Cooperative Study Group, Symptomatic response to therapy of men with gonococcal urethritis: Do all need post-treatment cultures? Sex. Transm. Dis. 14:37–40 (1987).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  89. Sgroi, S., Pediatric gonorrhea and child sexual abuse: The venereal disease connection, Sex. Transm. Dis. 9:154–156 (1982).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. Spark, R. P., Dahlberg, P. W., and Labelle, J. W., Pseudogonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum, Am. J. Clin. Pathol. 72:471–473 (1979).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  91. Sparling, P. F., Cannon, J. G., and So, M., Phase and antigenic variation of pili and outer membrane protein Ii of Neisseria gonorrhoeae,J. Infect. Dis. 153:196–201 (1986).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. Holmberg, S. E., Osterholm, M. T., Senger, K. A., and Cohen, M. L., Drug-resistant salmonella from animals fed antimicrobials, N. Engl. J. Med. 311:617–622 (1984).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  93. Strader, K. W., Wise, C. M., Wasilaukas, B. L., and Salzer, W. L., Disseminated gonococcal infection caused by chromosomally mediated penicillin-resistant organisms, Ann. Intern. Med. 104:365–366 (1986).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  94. Stuart, R. D., Transport problems in public health bacteriology: Use of transport media and other devices to maintain viability of bacteria in specimens, Can. J. Public Health 49:114–122 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  95. Sweet, R. L., Pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in women, Infect. Dis. Clin. North Am. 1:199–215 (1987).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  96. Thayer, J. D., and Martin, J. E., Jr., A selective medium for the cultivation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis, Public Health Rep. 79:49 (1964).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  97. Thompson, S. E., and Hager, W. D., Acute pelvic inflammatory disease, Sex. Transm. Dis. 4:105–113 (1977).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  98. Tramont, E. C., Inhibition of adherence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by human genital secretions, J. Clin. Invest. 59:117–124 (1977).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  99. Ullman, S., Roussel, T. J., Culbertson, W. W., Forster, R. K., Alfonso, E., Mendelsohn, A. D., Heidemann, D. G., and Holland, S. P., Neisseria gonorrhoeae keratoconjunctivitis, Ophthalmology 94:525–531 (1987).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  100. Van Klingeren, B., Ansink-Shipper, M. C., Dessenskroon, M., Huikeshoven, M. H., and Woudstra, R. K., Relationship between auxotype, plasmid pattern, and susceptibility to antibiotics in penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae, J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 16:143–147 (1985).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  101. Wallin, J. E., and Siegel, M. S., Pharyngeal Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Coloniser or pathogen, Br. Med. J. 1:1462–1463 (1979).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  102. Wan, W. L., Farkas, G. C., May, W. N., and Robin, J. B., The clinical characteristics and course of adult gonococcal conjunctivitis, Am. J. Ophthalmol. 102:575–583 (1986).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  103. Washington, A. E., Gove, S., Schachter, J., and Sweet, R. L., Oral contraceptives, Chlamydia trachomatis infection, and pelvic inflammatory disease, J. Am. Med. Assoc. 253:2246–2250 (1985).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  104. Washington, A. E., Arno, B. S., and Brooks, M. A., The economic cost of pelvic inflammatory disease, J. Am. Med. Assoc. 255:1735–1738 (1986).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  105. Wasserheit, J. N. Pelvic inflammatory disease and inferitility, Md. Med. J. 36:58–63 (1987).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  106. Westrom, L., Incidence, prevalence, and trends of acute pelvic inflammatory disease and its consequences in industrialized countries, Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 138:880–892 (1980).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  107. Whittington, W. L., Rice, R. J., Biddle, J. W., and Knapp, J. S., Incorrect identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from infants and children, Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. 7:3–10 (1988).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  108. Wiesner, P. J., Handsfield, H. H., and Holmes, K. K., Low antibiotic resistance of gonococci causing disseminated infection, N. Engl. J. Med. 288:1221–1222 (1973).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  109. Wiesner, P. J., Tronca, E., Bonin, P., Pederson, A. H. B., and Holmes, K. K., Clinical spectrum of pharyngeal gonococcal infection, N. Engl. J. Med. 284:181–185 (1973).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  110. William, D. C., Sexually transmitted diseases in gay men: An insider’s view, Sex. Transm. Dis. 6:278–280 (1979).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  111. Young, J. D. E., Blake, M., Mauro, A., and Cohn, Z. A., Properties of the major outer membrane protein from Neisseria gonorrhoeae incorporated into model lipid membranes, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 80:3831–3835 (1983).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  112. Zenilman, J. M., Nims, L. J., Menegus, M. A., Nolte, F., and Knapp, J. S., Spectinomycin-resistant gonococcal infections in the United States, 1985–1986, J. Infect. Dis. 156:1002–1004 (1987).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  113. Zenilman, J. M., Bonner, M., Sharp, K. L., Rabb, J., Alexander, E. R., and The Dade County Public Health Unit, Penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Dade County, Florida: Evidence of core-group transmitters and the impact of illicit antibiotics, Sex. Transm. Dis. 15:45–50 (1988).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

12. Suggested Reading

  • Barnes, R. C., and Holmes, K. K., Epidemiology of gonorrhea: Current perspectives, Epidemiol. Rev. 6:1–30 (1984). Discusses long-term epidemiological trends of gonorrhea, programmatic aspects of gonorrhea control programs, and differentiation of disease transmitters into “efficient” and “nonefficient” categories.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control, Policy Guidelines for the Detection, Management, and Control of Antibiotic-Resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 1987 (Suppl. 55). Clinical aspects of antibiotic-resistant gonococcal infection are discussed, including laboratory diagnosis, treatment. Staged intervention programs are presented, based on the relative prevalence of resistant strains.

    Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control, 1989 Sexually Transmitted Disease Treatment Guidelines. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 1989 (Suppl. s-8). (Available free from CPS-DSTD Technical Information Service, Mailstop E-06, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA 30333.)

    Google Scholar 

  • Easmon, C. S. F., and Ison, C. A., Neisseria gonorrhoeae: A versatile pathogen, J. Clin. Pathol. 40:1088–1097 (1987). Article by the foremost British authorities on gonococcal disease in which the laboratory techniques of diagnosis and pathophysiology are discussed. Extensively discusses the various mechanisms of gonococcal antibiotic resistance.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holmes, K. K., Mardh, P.-A., Sparling, P. F., and Wiesner, P. J., (ed.), Sexually Transmitted Diseases, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1989. This encyclopedic volume covers historical, clinical, behavioral, and epidemiological aspects of all sexually transmitted diseases. There are especially good sections on organizing effective STD services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hook, E. W., III, and Holmes, K. K., Gonococcal infections, Ann. Inter. Med. 102:229–243 (1985). Comprehensive review of the pathophysiology, pathogenesis, and clinical syndromes associated with gonococcal infection, oriented to a broad audience.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rothenberg, R. B., The geography of gonorrhea: Empirical demonstration of core group transmission, Am. J. Epidemiol. 117:688–694 (1983). In this article, the “core theory” (Section 5.3), which states that gonorrhea incidence rates have a specific geographic distribution, is developed. The core theory is now becoming the basis for focused intervention programs.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Jonathan Zenilman

    Present address: Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA

  2. Paul J. Wiesner

    Present address: Dekalb County Board of Health, Decatur, Georgia, 30030, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Center for Prevention Services, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia, 30333, USA

    Jonathan Zenilman

  2. Training and Laboratory Program Office, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia, 30333, USA

    Paul J. Wiesner

Authors
  1. Jonathan Zenilman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Paul J. Wiesner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

    Alfred S. Evans (John Rodman Paul Professor of Epidemiology, Emeritus) (John Rodman Paul Professor of Epidemiology, Emeritus)

  2. Emory University School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    Philip S. Brachman

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Zenilman, J., Wiesner, P.J. (1991). Gonococcal Infections. In: Evans, A.S., Brachman, P.S. (eds) Bacterial Infections of Humans. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-1211-7_13

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-1211-7_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-1213-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-1211-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation