Which of the following microorganisms causes gonorrhea?

AIIMS Patna NO - 2020

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS Patna NO - 2020

Explanation

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the specific bacterium responsible for causing the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea.
It is a Gram-negative diplococcus, meaning it appears as pairs of spherical cells that do not retain the crystal violet stain in Gram staining.
This organism exclusively infects humans, primarily targeting the mucous membranes of the genitourinary tract, rectum, pharynx, and conjunctiva.
The other options are either fabricated names or a bacterium that causes entirely different diseases.

Option A: "Stylus gonorrhoeae" is a fabricated name and not a recognized pathogenic microorganism.
Option B: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a distinct bacterium that causes respiratory infections like pneumonia, as well as meningitis and sinusitis.
Option C: "Stereotyoist gonorrhoeae" is a fabricated name, similar to option A, and does not represent a real microorganism.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Causative agent of Gonorrhea as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must be vigilant in screening for gonorrhea, especially in high-risk populations, due to the high prevalence of asymptomatic infections which can lead to serious complications like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and infertility.
The rise of antibiotic-resistant N. gonorrhoeae strains is a major public health crisis. Nurses are on the front lines of this issue, responsible for educating patients about completing their full antibiotic course and the importance of follow-up testing to confirm cure.
What if? If a patient with gonorrhea is allergic to cephalosporins (like ceftriaxone), the treatment plan must be altered. An alternative regimen, such as a combination of gentamicin and azithromycin, would be considered, highlighting the need for accurate allergy history assessment.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question stem, which is "gonorrhea". The question is asking for its causative microorganism.
Next, scan the options provided. You are looking for the scientific name of a bacterium.
Eliminate options that seem phonetically similar but are likely incorrect distractors. "Stylus" and "Stereotyoist" are not typical prefixes for bacterial genera.
Evaluate the remaining plausible options. Recall or deduce the diseases caused by each. Streptococcus pneumoniae is famously associated with pneumonia.
This leaves Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The species name "gonorrhoeae" is a direct link to the disease "gonorrhea", making it the most logical answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QkUwOvAhtxfR304O_Tpx-P

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 1751-1753

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 1294-1296

E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 371-373