The biology of Neisseria gonorrhoeae: a model of adaptation and survival

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a fascinating organism. It is confined to humans w here it inhabits only a few mucosal sites yet it causes about 65 million in fections each year.(1) However, few if any of these infections are fatal. T his indicates that the gonococcus is a 'successful' pathogen, able to repro duce and disseminate and well suited to survival in its specialised environ ment,but at the same time causing minimal or at least nonlethal disruption to the host, thereby preserving its habitat. An understanding of the biolog y of the gonococcus, which has led to this situation, provides many relevan t insights into the manifestations; epidemiology and management of gonococc al diseases. This review attempts to provide a summarised version of some f eatures of the organism critical to this understanding.