Pathogenicity and virulence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an obligate human mucosal pathogen that colonizes male urethral and female endo/ectocervical epithelia, producing urethritis and cervicitis.

• Why it matters: Gonorrhea can remain localized, yet gonococci can ascend to cause pelvic inflammatory disease and disseminate to distant sites, making mechanisms of spread and immune interaction critical.
• What they did: This review synthesizes evidence on gonococcal transmission, genital tract colonization, and host-pathogen interactions, focusing on virulence factors that mediate inflammation, immune evasion, and immune suppression.
• The result: The compiled mechanisms clarify how dissemination shapes a spectrum of clinical outcomes and supports ongoing efforts to improve treatments and develop preventative vaccines.

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