1. The Body System Summary
Created by Christy Hui

2. Signs
Symptoms
A characteristic of an illness that can be observed by a third party
Penile discharge
A characteristic of an illness observed or experienced by a patient
Burning sensation upon urination
Penile discharge

3. Affected body system- genitourinary
In Naser’s case, the urethra is affected by the pathogens via unprotected sexual intercourse
Infection may spread to other urinary and reproductive organs
The genitourinary system is composed of both reproductive and urinary organs which are interconnected in males

4. The Urinary System
Composed of four major organs in both males and females: kidneys, ureter, bladder, urethra

5. Kidneys
Maintains homeostasis of volume and fluid composition of blood in the body
Filter metabolic waste from blood
Form urine
Balance fluid and electrolytes
Balance blood pH
Regulate blood pressure
Waste filtered from the kidneys is directed to the bladder via a tube called the ureter

6. Bladder
The bladder is an expandable organ that collects urine filtered from the kidneys
Once expanded, epithelial lining of the bladder sends signals to the body to pass urine via the voiding reflex
Subsequent innervation of the urethral sphincter regulates urine release
Urethra is connected to bladder and is responsible for excreting urea, waste and excess water
Pathogens present in this system is also excreted via the urethra
Men’s urethra is longer than women’s

7. The Reproductive System
Primary purpose is for copulation and production of the offspring
In males, the reproductive system is closely tied with the urinary system
External genitalia includes penis, scrotum
Internal genitalia includes testes, epididymis, vas deferens, ductus deferens, seminal vesicle, ejaculatory duct, prostate gland, Cowper’s gland, and the urethra.

8. Testes are located in the scrotum, responsible for spermatogenesis
Contain tightly coiled seminiferous tubules
Comprised of interstitial cells known as Leydig cells, responsible for producing testosterone and other androgens
Epididymis is a tightly coiled tube connected to seminiferous tubules that function to mature sperm
Vas deferens are connected to the seminal vesicles that cause the production of semen
Cowper’s gland helps lubricate and secrete alkaline fluid to protect sperm travelling through the urethra and vaginal environment

9. Disturbance to normal physiological function due to N. gonorrhoeae
Can cause urethritis,
Linked with blindness and infertility
Adherence is mediated through bacterial pilli and Opa proteins
IgA1 protease cleaves IgA antibodies and block Fc function for destruction
Porin mediates penetration of host cell, allows bacteria to survive within phagocytes
They inhibit complement, apoptosis and oxidative burst in neutrophils
Lipooligosaccharide (LOS) is responsible for most Gonorrhea’s symptoms
Induction of an inflammatory response, activation of complement, local production of TNF-α
Causing pain and swelling of the urethra, leading to the burning sensation
Bacteria leaving the urethral cells, infected cells are shed into the urethral lumen causing the penile discharge

10. Gonococcal invasion mechanism

11. Disturbance to normal physiological function due to C. trachomatis
C. trachomatis has a cell wall structure that inhibits phagolysosome fusion, and induces inflammatory response
Infection of mucosal epithelial cells can deteriorate barriers and impact immune system
Bacterial cells stimulate T helper cells to release IFN-g that causes tissue damage
This inflammation causes painful urination
Bacteria may spread up along the reproductive tract
The symptom of discharge is caused by bacterial cell necrosis
If left untreated, chlamydia can cause skin lesion, epididymitis and arthritis

12. Secondary Sites
N. gonorrhoeae may disseminate into the bloodstream and infect other sites such as skin and joints; the infection is then aptly named “disseminated gonococcal infection”
It can survive within phagosomes due to Por, an outer membrane porin.
Serum resistant strains can evade bactericidal activity by LOS binding to sialic acid
Mucosal IgA blocks anti-LOS IgG bactericidal activity in serum
C. trachomatis may also disseminate into the blood stream and infect secondary sites (i.e. epididymis, conjunctiva, oral cavity and joints)
Intracellular pathogens form reticulate bodies to survive

13. STI Testing
Imperative to get tested for STIs and HIV/AIDS when beginning a sexual relationship with a new partner.
Gonorrhea and chlamydia are sometimes asymptomatic in men and women
Treatment should begin as soon as possible if detected
Untreated infections can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (in women), ectopic pregnancies (in women), infertility (in men and women) and chronic infections
Increased risk of transmission to fetus and premature birth if infection occurs during pregnancy
Note: treatment may differ in pregnant women to ensure the safety of the fetus