Chapter 20, Problem 9CT

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The changes in structures and metabolism of N. gonorrhoeae that explains its resistance to other antimicrobial drugs, like its production of β-lactamase that degrades penicillin.

Introduction:

N. gonorrhoeae is the gram negative bacteria which causes the sexually transmitted disease Gonorrhea, more commonly found in females than in males. In this disease, the bacterium attaches to the cervix of a woman’s uterus and spreads the infection up to the fallopian tubes. While it causes painful urination in men, it barely shows any symptoms in women. It can also cause infections in other parts of the body like conjunctivitis. This bacterium produces β-lactamase that degrades penicillin.