A human-only bacterium that causes gonorrhoea and very often produces no symptoms at all. Explore its illustrative 3D model, human context, and sources.
PHAC describes N. gonorrhoeae as a Gram-negative bacterium 0.6 to 1.0 micrometres in diameter which appears kidney bean shaped under the microscope, typically in a diplococcal arrangement with adjacent flattened sides, non-motile, non-spore-forming and possessing fimbriae with an affinity for human cells. It is an obligate human pathogen with no other known natural host. WHO estimated 82 million new gonorrhoea infections worldwide in 2020 among people aged 15 to 49. CDC states that gonorrhea often has no symptoms but can cause serious health problems even without symptoms, and PHAC reports that up to 70% of infected females remain asymptomatic.
The main risk here comes from infection going unnoticed rather than from severe acute illness. PHAC reports that up to 70% of infected females remain asymptomatic and that untreated cervical infection causes pelvic inflammatory disease in 10 to 20% of cases. WHO also flags antimicrobial resistance in gonorrhoea as a significant threat to treatment options. None of these population figures predicts what will happen to any one person.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae · A representative pair of flattened, facing kidney-shaped cocci with short pili; the filament count and pair geometry are schematic. This is a species-informed teaching diagram; colours, proportions, envelope spacing and internal detail are illustrative. The model uses muted illustrative colours; stains, colony pigments and microscopy colourization are not natural cell colours. Anatomy is enlarged for phone viewing. Morphology reference: Neisseria gonorrhoeae · pathogen safety data sheet.
Source check: 2026-09-20. Educational content; independent scientific review remains pending.