Gonococcal Ophthalmia Neonatorum Infection Transmitted at Birth |Biomedgrid

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a highly adapted, inherent human pathogen that causes the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhoeae [1,2]. This human infection remains a significant concern, with a high worldwide frequency and a profound impact on reproductive and neonatal health [3,4]. N. gonorrhoeae is rapidly becoming a superbug and there is no effective vaccination to prevent gonococcal infections [5,6]. There is an urgent need for increased research into molecular targets for the development of therapies with novel modes of action and prophylactic vaccines(s) [7-9]. Global proteome techniques are excellent for guiding these research strategies [10,11]. Recent quantitative proteomics studies have shed light on the pathways N. gonorrhoeae uses to adapt to different lifestyles and microecological niches in the host, while comparative 2D SDS-PAGE analyses have been used to decipher spectinomycin resistance mechanisms [12]. Untreated or improperly treated gonorrhoeae can cause serious complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in women, epididymitis in men, and vision-threatening conjunctivitis in children born to infected mothers [13-15]. Gonococcal conjunctivitis affects two main groups: new-borns (ophthalmia neonatorum) and sexually active people [16]. Gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum is acquired postpartum from an infected mother and affects 30% to 50% of neonates exposed perinatally [17].