What is the causative agent of gonorrhea?

The causative agent of gonorrhea is Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which is a Gram-negative bacterium. This specific organism is responsible for the sexually transmitted infection known as gonorrhea. It primarily infects the mucosal surfaces of the urogenital tract, but can also affect the rectum and throat. Understanding the specific pathogen is crucial for both diagnosis and treatment of the infection, as appropriate antibiotics can effectively target this bacterium.

Chlamydia trachomatis is another bacterium responsible for a different sexually transmitted infection known as chlamydia, but it does not cause gonorrhea. Treponema pallidum is the bacterium that causes syphilis, and does not relate to gonorrhea. Epstein-Barr virus, on the other hand, is a virus associated with infectious mononucleosis and various types of cancers, but it is not involved in the etiology of gonorrhea. Therefore, identifying Neisseria gonorrhoeae as the causative agent is essential for correctly diagnosing and treating this infection.