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Should men with asymptomatic non-specific urethritis be identified and treated?
1Department of GU Medicine, Royal South Hants Hospital, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. adblume@yahoo.com
International Journal of STD & AIDS
|October 22, 2008
Summary
Microscopy is not routinely needed for asymptomatic men with non-specific urethritis (NSU). Testing sexual partners of these men revealed very few sexually transmitted infections (STIs), questioning the necessity of this diagnostic method.
Area of Science:
- Sexual Health
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Microscopy is debated for asymptomatic non-specific urethritis (NSU) in men.
- Previous studies on symptomatic men suggest potential partner infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the rate of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in sexual partners of men with asymptomatic pathogen-negative NSU.
- To evaluate the necessity of microscopy for diagnosing asymptomatic NSU.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case-note review of men diagnosed with asymptomatic pathogen-negative NSU.
- Contact tracing of sexual partners who attended the sexual health clinic.
- STI screening for identified partners.
Main Results:
- 42 sexual partners were identified and attended the clinic.
- Only one partner (2.4%) tested positive for chlamydia.
- Two additional partners were diagnosed with viral STIs.
Conclusions:
- The low prevalence of chlamydia and other STIs in partners does not support routine microscopy for asymptomatic NSU.
- Current diagnostic approaches may not require microscopy in this specific patient group.
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