Q: Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria N. gonorrhoeae. N. gonorrhoeae is characterized by pili and other surface proteins which are used to adhere to genitourinary tissues in humans. These genes that code for pili undergo continuous antigenic variation through homologous recombination and phase variation (turning the genes "on" and "off"). Although growing antibiotic resistance has been an issue, vaccinations are not considered a very plausible preventative measure for gonorrhea. Why?
A		Antibiotic treatment has been very effective and new antibiotics are constantly created.
B		There are no surface antigens on N. gonorrhoeae for which antibodies can be generated against.
C		A bacterial infection by N. gonorrhoeae elicits a rapid natural immune response, so a vaccine is not required.
D		The antigenic variation of the N. gonorrhoeae pili genes generates constant new variations of the pili surface antigens.

Viruses | Immune System |