Gonococcal Infection: A Model of Molecular Pathogenesis

Human beings are the only reservoir for the gonococcus. In spite of public health efforts to control this pathogen, and the availability of adequate antibiotic therapy for 40 years, close to a million cases of gonococcal infection are reported in the United States annually.¹ The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains has complicated treatment regimens.^{2 3 4 5} Sequelae of gonococcal infection, including sterility and ectopic pregnancy, are serious health problems,⁶ particularly in less developed areas of the world. The gonococcus infects a diverse array of mucosal surfaces, including the urethra, endocervix, pharynx, conjunctiva, and rectum. In a minority of patients these infections progress.