This Research Topic is dedicated to our current understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Topics in this issue include the following: human infection models for testing gonococcal virulence, animal models that mimic lower female genital tract infection, and an ex vivo system derived from the human female lower genital tract. Vaccine development efforts, and the impact of gonococcal infection on the host's immune response are also described. Also part of this issue are reviews of the molecular aspects of several important virulence factors, including: biofilm formation, neutrophil resistance, innate immune factor resistance, iron acquisition, and type 4 secretion systems.
Image:
Top: Gram stain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae within human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Bottom: Electron micrograph of Neisseria gonorroheae attached to and within a human cervical epithelial cell.
This Research Topic is dedicated to our current understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Topics in this issue include the following: human infection models for testing gonococcal virulence, animal models that mimic lower female genital tract infection, and an ex vivo system derived from the human female lower genital tract. Vaccine development efforts, and the impact of gonococcal infection on the host's immune response are also described. Also part of this issue are reviews of the molecular aspects of several important virulence factors, including: biofilm formation, neutrophil resistance, innate immune factor resistance, iron acquisition, and type 4 secretion systems.
Image:
Top: Gram stain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae within human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Bottom: Electron micrograph of Neisseria gonorroheae attached to and within a human cervical epithelial cell.