Neisseria gonorrhoeaeIntroductionNeisseria gonorrhoeae is the obligate human pathogen that causes gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease (STD). These Gram-negative diplococci/gonococci do not infect other animals or laboratory animals and do not survive freely in the environment. Gonococcal infection occurs in the upper or lower tract, pharynx, ophthalmic area, rectum and bloodstream. During the 1980s, gonorrhea was also called "the clap", at a time when public awareness was very minimal. It was one of the venereal diseases that prostitutes hoped to contract, as it led to infertility due to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). As documentation, diagnostic testing, and public awareness have improved, incidence reports have decreased, but it is still considered a very common infectious disease. MeetSexually active men and women of all races, ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds are susceptible to gonococcal infection. However, among the infected population, the CDC reports that 80% of women and 10% of men are asymptomatic. After an incubation of five to seven days, males tend to exhibit symptoms of swelling of the urethra, painful and more frequent urination, and abnormal penal discharge of thick yellow exudate (pus). Similarly, women suffer from chronic abdominal pain, inflammation of the cervix, painful urination, bleeding or irregular menstrual cycles, fever and increased yellow vaginal discharge. Women have a higher risk factor, 60 to 90 percent, of becoming infected after just one sexual encounter. Both sexes suffer from sore throats during oral infections if they are not asymptomatic. However, this response is most often confused with a viral sore throat. , Hae-Sun Moon, Wolfgang, Matthew, van Putten, Jos PM, Dorward, David, Hayes, Stanley F. and Koomey, Michael. Structural alterations of a type IV pilus subunit protein result in concomitant defects in multicellular behavior and adhesion to host tissue. Molecular Microbiology 42(2), 293-307.doi:10.1046/j.1365-2958.2001.02629.xSoper, David E, Disseminated gonococcal infection. (Protocols). Contemporary OB/GYN. June 2002 v47 i6 p135(4)Bradbury, Jane. Neisseria gonorrhoeae evades host immunity by switching off T lymphocytes.The Lancet. February 23, 2002 v359 i9307 p681.Senior, BW, Steward, W., Galloway, C., Kerr, M. Cleavage of the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone, by the IgA1 type 1 protease of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and its implications. Journal of Infectious Diseases. October 1, 2001 v184 i7p9022.