A 19-year-old college freshman living in dormitory housing presents with fever (39.2°C), severe headache, neck stiffness, and petechial rash. Vital signs show HR 118/min, RR 22/min, BP 105/68 mmHg, SpO2 98% on room air. Cerebrospinal fluid culture grows oxidase-positive gram-negative diplococci; CSF glucose is markedly decreased at 18 mg/dL. He denies recent antibiotic use. Which virulence factor primarily facilitates initial nasopharyngeal colonization by this organism?
- A)Alpha toxin
- B)Exotoxin A
- C)Protein A
- D)IgA proteaseGABARITO
- E)Cord factor
Explicação
Neisseria meningitidis produces IgA protease, which helps it colonize mucosal surfaces by degrading secretory IgA in the nasopharynx. The organism then may invade and cause meningitis and meningococcemia with petechiae. Ver explicação completa e trilha adaptativa →