CHAPTER XI 
GONOCOCCUS 
The gonococcus, also called diplococcus gonorrheae, 
causes gonorrhea, a highly contagious disease. 
I. Historical 
It was discovered by Neisser in 1879. 
II. Morphology 
It occurs in pairs, is Gram-negative, the pairs are 
characteristically flattened along the facing surfaces— 
“biscuit” shaped; the gonococci are alwaj^s found within 
the pus cells (leucocytes). They are nonmotile, have no 
flagella, no spores, no capsules. 
III. Cultural Characteristics 
Gonococci grow only on ascitic fluid agar, cornstarch 
agar, and also glycerin—or sugar ascitic fluid agar. It is 
an aerobic organism, and does not grow below 30.5° C. 
The colonies are extremely delicate, grayish little spots. 
IV. Destruction 
Gonococci possess very slight resistance to heat and 
light, exposure to 42° C. for ten minutes kills them; they 
are, however, very resistant to drying. 
Most of the common disinfectants, even in high dilu¬ 
tions, kill the gonococci readily, especially the silver 
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