The "nonpathogenic" Neisseria spp. are generally regarded as normal microbiota of which site?

The "nonpathogenic" Neisseria spp. are generally regarded as normal microbiota of which site?

• A. Skin
• B. Upper respiratory tract
• C. Gastrointestinal tract
• D. Urinary tract

Answer: (B)

Nonpathogenic Neisseria species are typically normal inhabitants of the upper respiratory tract. They colonize the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx and oropharynx in healthy individuals and are often carried asymptomatically. This is why these species are commonly encountered as part of the resident microbiota in throat swabs and carriage studies. The skin, gastrointestinal tract, and urinary tract are not their usual reservoirs in a healthy person, since different microbes dominate those sites. So, the upper respiratory tract is the typical home for these nonpathogenic Neisseria.

Nonpathogenic Neisseria species are typically normal inhabitants of the upper respiratory tract. They colonize the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx and oropharynx in healthy individuals and are often carried asymptomatically. This is why these species are commonly encountered as part of the resident microbiota in throat swabs and carriage studies. The skin, gastrointestinal tract, and urinary tract are not their usual reservoirs in a healthy person, since different microbes dominate those sites. So, the upper respiratory tract is the typical home for these nonpathogenic Neisseria.