Neisseria

Neisseria /Neis·se·ria/ (ni-sēr´e-ah) a genus of gram-negative bacteria (family Neisseriaceae), including N. gonorrhoe´ae, the etiologic agent of gonorrhea, N. meningi´tidis, a prominent cause of meningitis and the specific etiologic agent of meningococcal meningitis.

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Neis·se·ri·a (n-sîr-)

n.

A genus of aerobic to facultatively anaerobic bacteria containing gram-negative cocci and including the causative agents of gonorrhea and meningitis.

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Neisseria

[nīser′ē·ə]

Etymology: Albert L. S. Neisser, Polish dermatologist, 1855-1916

a genus of aerobic to facultatively anaerobic bacteria of the family Neisseriaceae. The gram-negative cocci, which appear in pairs with adjacent sides flattened, are among the normal flora of genitourinary and upper respiratory tracts. Pathogenic species include gonococcus and meningococcus forms.

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Neisseria [ni-se´re-ah]

a genus of gram-negative, aerobic or facultatively anaerobic cocci, which are a part of the normal flora of the oropharynx, nasopharynx, and genitourinary tract. Pathogenic species include N. gonorrhoe´ae, the etiologic agent of gonorrhea; N. meningi´tidis, a prominent cause of meningitis and the specific agent of meningococcal meningitis; and N. muco´sa, which is found in the nasopharynx and occasionally causes pneumonia.

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Negri bodies,

n.pl the intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies found in the brain and central nervous system cells of rabies victims.

Neisseria

n a genus of aerobic to facultatively anaerobic bacteria containing gram-negative cocci that occur in pairs with the adjacent sides flattened.

N. gonorrhoeae,

n a species that causes gonorrhea.

N. meningitidis,

n a species found in the nasopharynx of man. The causative agent of meningococcal meningitis.

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Neisseria

a genus of gram-negative bacteria in the family Neisseriaceae. Commonly found as normal flora in the oral cavity and respiratory tract of many species and only rarely associated with disease except in humans where N. meningitidis is the cause of meningococcal meningitis, and N. gonorrheae is the cause of gonorrhea.