what common virulence factors are found in neisseria?

The common virulence factors found in Neisseria are polysaccharide capsule, endotoxin, IgA1 protease, pili, and proteins.

Explanation:

Neisseria species are Gram negative diplococcic highly pathogenic bacteria which cause meningococcal and gonococcal diseases in humans.

Virulence factors of Neisseria meningitidis:

Polysaccharide capsule: Antigenic anti-phagocytic capsular polysaccharides form a capsule and surround the bacterium. About 13 serotypes are present based on which the bacteria is classified.

Endotoxin: Composed of lipooligosaccharides leading to hemorrhage, sepsis, and petechiae on skin  

IgA1 protease: Enzyme that breaks and cleaves the antibody IgA

Pili: Attaches bacterium to respiratory tract cells. Acts antigenic against the body’s immune system.

Diseases: Meningococcal - Meningitis, meningococcemia  

Transmission: Respiratory tract

Virulence factors of Neisseria gonorrhea :

Pili: Complex gene codes for hypervariable genomes and antigenic against antibodies

Protein porins of outer membrane: Two protein complexes – Por A and Por B – facilitates invasion of epithelial cells

Opaproteins – facilitates attachment and further invasion of epithelial cells.

Diseases : Gonococcal – epididymitis, prostitis etc in men and pelvic inflammatory disease in women

Transmission: Sexual transmission

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