Related Experiment Videos
Are the "nonpathogenic" Neisseriae pathogenic?
Abstract:
Neisseriae other than N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae are common upper respiratory commensals, but rarely cause disease. A case of N. sicca bacteremia in an immunocompromised patient is reported, and the literature dealing with infections attributed to these usually nonpathogenic organisms is reviewed. These neisseriae have been shown to cause meningitis, endocarditis, sepsis, and some cases of pneumonia, otitis media, and sinusitis; however, their pathogenicity is doubtful in many of the reported cases of urethritis, cervicitis, and upper respiratory infection. They are not uniformly sensitive to the penicillins, so therapy should be guided by the results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Insights
Other Neisseria species are common commensals but can cause rare infections like bacteremia in immunocompromised individuals. Susceptibility testing is crucial as these bacteria are not always penicillin-sensitive.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Non-meningitidis and non-gonorrhoeae Neisseria species are typically commensals of the upper respiratory tract.
- While generally nonpathogenic, these bacteria can occasionally cause invasive infections, particularly in immunocompromised hosts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of Neisseria sicca bacteremia in an immunocompromised patient.
- To review the existing literature on infections caused by these less common Neisseria species.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a patient with N. sicca bacteremia.
- Literature review of infections attributed to commensal Neisseria species.
Main Results:
- Neisseria species, including N. sicca, have been implicated in serious infections such as meningitis, endocarditis, and sepsis.
- Pathogenicity is questionable in some reported cases of genitourinary and upper respiratory tract infections.
- These organisms exhibit variable sensitivity to penicillins, necessitating antimicrobial susceptibility testing for effective treatment.
Conclusions:
- Commensal Neisseria species can cause severe infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
- Clinical presentation varies, and definitive diagnosis relies on microbiological identification and susceptibility testing.
- Antimicrobial therapy for infections caused by these Neisseria species should be guided by susceptibility data.