Neisseria gonorrhoeae screening in pregnancy

All patients undergoing prenatal care at the U.S Naval Hospital in Yokosuka, Japan, have a gonorrhea culture performed at their intake visit. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in this military population and to propose an effective antenatal screening strategy based on the data. A retrospective 10-month review of patient data was performed. In addition, the guidelines for antenatal N. gonorrhoeae screening by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the World Health Organization were reviewed. During the study period, none of the screened patients (N = 518) had a gonococcal infection. The screening program at this facility will be modified based on the low-risk nature of the pregnant population. Specifically, high-risk patients will be screened selectively in the third trimester.