Pathogenicity and virulence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- 1Neisseria Research Group, Molecular Microbiology, School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- 2Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea and is an obligate human pathogen, colonizing the mucosal epithelia of the male urethra and the female endo/ectocervix, resulting in urethritis and cervicitis. These manifestations represent uncomplicated gonorrhea and highlight the gonococcus as a primarily mucosal pathogen. However, gonococci can ascend the female reproductive tract to cause pelvic inflammatory disease and may disseminate to distant anatomical sites. The gonococcus expresses a diverse array of virulence factors that mediate transmission, mucosal colonization, immune modulation, and disease progression. In this review, we outline the mechanisms of gonococcal transmission and colonization of the genital tract epithelium, and examine host–pathogen interactions that drive inflammation, immune evasion, and immune suppression. We also discuss the mechanisms underlying dissemination and the resulting spectrum of clinical outcomes. Continued investigation of gonococcal biology and host interactions will advance understanding of pathogenesis and support the development of improved treatments and preventative vaccines.
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BibTeX
@article{girgis2026pathogenicity,
title = {{Pathogenicity and virulence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae}},
author = {Michael M. Girgis and Myron Christodoulides},
journal = {Virulence},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1080/21505594.2026.2749908},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/21505594.2026.2749908},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Pathogenicity and virulence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae
AU - Michael M. Girgis
AU - Myron Christodoulides
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/16
JO - Virulence
DO - 10.1080/21505594.2026.2749908
UR - https://doi.org/10.1080/21505594.2026.2749908
AB - Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea and is an obligate human pathogen, colonizing the mucosal epithelia of the male urethra and the female endo/ectocervix, resulting in urethritis and cervicitis. These manifestations represent uncomplicated gonorrhea and highlight the gonococcus as a primarily mucosal pathogen. However, gonococci can ascend the female reproductive tract to cause pelvic inflammatory disease and may disseminate to distant anatomical sites. The gonococcus expresses a diverse array of virulence factors that mediate transmission, mucosal colonization, immune modulation, and disease progression. In this review, we outline the mechanisms of gonococcal transmission and colonization of the genital tract epithelium, and examine host–pathogen interactions that drive inflammation, immune evasion, and immune suppression. We also discuss the mechanisms underlying dissemination and the resulting spectrum of clinical outcomes. Continued investigation of gonococcal biology and host interactions will advance understanding of pathogenesis and support the development of improved treatments and preventative vaccines.
SN - 2150-5594
SN - 2150-5608
ER -