Adherence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to Urethral Mucosal Cells: An Electron-Microscopic Study of Human Gonorrhea

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Abstract
The electron microscope was used to examine mucosal cells obtained from the urethras of three men who had symptoms of gonorrhea for less than 24 hr. Neisseria gonorrhoeae were attached to the surface of epithelial cells with the membrane of the host cell raised up to surround the base of the organism. Occasionally gonococci were seen within the epithelial cell cytoplasm and were apparently surrounded by the membrane of the host cell. Gonococci became attached to and embedded in the secretory surface of a mucous cell. Together, these findings can explain how gonococci become established in the urethra despite repeated acts of micturition, and they suggest a possible mechanism for asymptomatic carriage of the organism.

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