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The consequences of gonorrhea infection

The causative agent of gonorrhea

Gonorrhea – a sexually transmitted disease, sexually transmitted diseases and affects mainly the mucous membrane of the urinary organs. The causative agent of this dangerous disease is the gonococcus Neisser – gram fixed diplococci (pair coccus) that have similarities with bean seeds. Gonococci most often form clusters resembling a swarm of bees. In the external environment, they die quickly, but once in the human body, they live long and reproduce quickly.

Under the electron microscope it is evident that pathogenic strains of gonorrhea are lint – pili that serve obviously to suppress the activity of phagocytes and for attachment of bacteria to spermatozoa and epithelial cells.

Another feature of these microorganisms is to produce them of the enzyme beta-lactamase that often negates the action of antibiotics in the treatment of gonorrhea. It strains with beta-lactamase responsible for numerous complications of this infectious disease and its chronic course. In addition, when the connection of gonorrhea and other infections such as chlamydia, Trichomonas, Ureaplasma, herpes, candidiasis. Gonorrhea is often observed in patients with syphilis.

Gonococci are parasites, mostly on the mucous membrane of the urethra, conjunctiva, cervix, distal part of the rectum, because they are lined by glandular or columnar epithelium, and it is very thin. Multi-layered flat epithelium is not a suitable environment for the implementation and the activity of bacteria, so the skin lesions are very rare, and only in special circumstances. Provoke skin disease can menopause, trauma, immunodeficiency States.


The consequences of gonorrhea infection

The incubation period of the disease is determined by the time necessary for the penetration of gonococci in the human body and start inflammatory process. Sometimes this bacteria is enough for 1-2 days, and sometimes it will take 1 month or more. The result of their activity is destruction of the epithelium, causing gonorrhea can get into the circulatory system and superficial lymph nodes.

Over time, the inflammatory process involves all new and new areas of the mucosa, leading to various complications. So, for example, the bacteria can through the fallopian tubes to get to the ovaries and abdomen and through the VAS deferens in the epididymis.

Inflammation of the joints and other organsdissemination (spread of the pathogen through the blood and lymphatic ducts) is rare. As a rule, gonococci immediately die if it enters the blood under the influence of Keeling factor (bactericidal activity) of the serum of human blood.

The spread of microorganisms is possible only in case if they are resistant (resistant) to such effect, or the human immune system has malfunctioned. In this case, developing gonococcemia, manifested by skin lesions and joints or gonococcal sepsis.

Overall, the clinical picture of the disease is diverse, and its various complications from asymptomatic occurrence of gonorrhea with inflammation of mucous to purulent meningitis and even gonorrheal sepsis. In men the inflammatory process may spread to the prostate gland, testicles, VAS deferens, seminal vesicles, may also be an acute inflammation of the epididymis (epididymitis).

The most common complication in men is of gonorrheal prostatitis, it can occur in both acute and in the chronic form. Chronic prostatitis is difficult to treat and causes impotence and infertility.

Women most often arises inflammation of the uterus and appendages, leading to female infertility. A very unpleasant complication is also bartholinitis – an inflammation of large vestibular glands, developing in about 2-3 weeks after infection with gonococci. In groin women have formed a painful knot or the cord, when pressed on which can stand out the pus. If the mouth of the gland is closed, the pus accumulates in the excretory duct. In this case of the gender gap can be movable, painful tumor the size from a large cherry to a hen's egg.

The woman has a fever, it is difficult to sit and walk. After the tumor burst, the patient becomes easier, the temperature drops. However, after some time without treatment is repeated again. Such a complication usually requires surgery, however this can be avoided if early treatment of gonorrhea.

Distinguish gonorrhea of genitourinary organs (genital), gonorrhea of the eye,
rectum, pharynx (extragenital), there is also metastatic (disseminated) gonorrhea, which is a complication of the previous types. Acquired immunity in gonorrhea is not produced, and the innate does not exist, so there may be repeated reinfection (infection with) human.