[Immunobiologic aspects of Neisseria gonorrhoeae]

Surface structures of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), which can mediate properties of virulence like adhesion and inflammation, try to escape the human immune response with the help of their highly variable antigenicity. In addition there are surface-exposed structures, like protein 1, which have relatively constant antigenetical powers and are likely to play an important part in both the uptake of nutrients and the infection process. Protein 1 shows no intrastrain and only limited interstrain variability. Anti-protein 1 monoclonal antibodies have gained practical significance with regard to serotyping and detection of NG in clinical specimens. Conserved epitopes of pilin and protein 1 may serve as the basis of a gonococcal vaccine.