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MICROCOCCTJS GONORRHOEA. Neisser (1879). 



GONOCOCCUS, DIPLOCOCCUS OF GONORRIICEA. 



Origin. Constant in gonorrhoea! discharges. 



Form. " Biscuit-shaped" micrococci which are usu- 

 ally in pairs, with the flattened surfaces facing each other. 

 The diplococcus is usually grouped in masses of 20-40 

 or more cells. The pus cells are frequently invaded by 

 the gonococcus which sometimes fills the cells. 



Motility. Has no real motion. 

 Sporulation. Not known. 



Anilin Dyes. Stain readily ; Gram's method is not 

 applicable. Methylene blue is best adapted for staining 

 cover-glasses of gonorrhoea! pus. 



Growth. Behaves as a strict parasite. Growth has 

 been successfully obtained only on human blood-serum, 

 on which it forms a very thin, scarcely visible layer which, 

 however, soon dies out. Best results have been obtained 

 with a mixture of 1 part of human blood-serum and 2-3 

 parts of ordinary nutrient agar. With this mixture plate 

 cultures can be made and an excellent growth obtained in 

 24 hours. 



Oxygen requirements.--Apparently it is an aero- 

 bic organism. 



Temperature. Does not grow below 25, or above 

 38 C. 



Pathogenesis. Pure cultures of the gonococcus, 

 obtained by the plate method, produce typical gonorrhoea 

 when introduced into the healthy urethra. 



NOTE. To examine gonorrhoaal pus, covei'-glasses should be prepared 

 from it while fresh and before it has dried down. These should be simple 

 stained with methylene blue. 



