Neisseria

The genus Neisseria includes bacteria such as Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococcus). N. meningitidis is a gram-negative bacterium that can cause meningococcal meningitis, a serious inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This bacterium spreads through respiratory and throat secretions and can lead to symptoms like fever, headache, stiff neck, and vomiting. While some individuals may carry N. meningitidis without symptoms, it can cause life-threatening infections, particularly in children and young adults.123

N. gonorrhoeae causes gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection primarily affecting the genitourinary tract. Symptoms in males include a burning sensation during urination and discharge, while in females, symptoms are often mild and may go unnoticed until complications arise. Gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and sterility in both sexes. Antibiotics are used to treat both meningococcal meningitis and gonorrhea, though drug-resistant strains have emerged.21