- Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a Gram-negative diplococcus that primarily infects the urogenital tract, making it the classic etiologic agent of urethritis.
- It adheres to and invades mucosal epithelial cells, causing inflammation and purulent discharge.
- In contrast, other options like Streptococcus pneumoniae are Gram-positive, and Haemophilus influenzae or Moraxella catarrhalis have different morphology and clinical presentations.
- The identification as a Gram-negative diplococcus combined with urethritis confirms Neisseria gonorrhoeae as the correct organism.