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Source: Knodel LC, Duhon B, Argamany J. Sexually transmitted diseases. In: DiPiro JT, Talbert RL, Yee GC, Matzke GR, Wells BG, Posey LM, eds. Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach. 10th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2017. http://accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=1861§ionid=146072585. Accessed March 8, 2017.
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Gonococci attach to mucosal cell membranes via surface pili.
Mucosal damage leads to tissue invasion by polymorphonuclear leukocytes followed by formation of submucosal abscesses and secretion of purulent exudates.
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Difficult to control due to rapid incubation period and large numbers of asymptomatic individuals.
Sexually transmitted infection (STI)
Half of STIs occur in persons in teens and twenties.
Number of reported cases in the United States stable over past 10 years.
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CLINICAL PRESENTATION
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Most common clinical features of gonococcal infections presented in Table 1
Gonococci invade bloodstream in 0.5–3% of patients and produce disseminated disease.
Clinical manifestations of disseminated gonococcal infection:
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