Gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae)
2014 Case Definition
2014 Case Definition
CSTE Position Statement(s)
- 13-ID-03
Background
Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and at birth to a newborn.
Clinical Description
A sexually transmitted infection commonly manifested by urethritis, cervicitis, proctitis, salpingitis, or pharyngitis. Infection may be asymptomatic.
Laboratory Criteria For Diagnosis
- Observation of gram-negative intracellular diplococci in a urethral smear obtained from a male or an endocervical smear obtained from a female, or
- Isolation of typical gram-negative, oxidase-positive diplococci by culture (presumptive Neisseria gonorrhoeae) from a clinical specimen, or
- Demonstration of N. gonorrhoeae in a clinical specimen by detection of antigen or nucleic acid
Case Classification
Probable
Demonstration of gram-negative intracellular diplococci in a urethral smear obtained from a male or an endocervical smear obtained from a female.
Confirmed
A person with laboratory isolation of typical gram-negative, oxidase-positive diplococcic by culture (presumptive Neisseria gonorrhoeae) from a clinical specimen, or demonstration of N. gonorrhoeae in a clinical specimen by detection of antigen or detection of nucleic acid via nucleic acid amplification (e.g., Polymerase Chain Reaction [PCR]) or hybridization with a nucleic acid probe.