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Prevalence, clinical features and quantification of genital non-viral infections

C A Carne1, J Gibbs, A Delaney

  • 1Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Clinic 1A, Box 38, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK. christopher.carne@addenbrookes.nhs.uk

International Journal of STD & AIDS
|August 24, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum are common in genitourinary clinics. Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are associated with specific symptoms in men.

Area of Science:

  • Genitourinary Medicine
  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Non-viral sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a significant public health concern.
  • Understanding the prevalence and clinical associations of various non-viral organisms is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment.
  • Ureaplasma species are common inhabitants of the urogenital tract, but their clinical significance is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of six non-viral organisms in attendees of a UK genitourinary medicine clinic.
  • To investigate the clinical features and microscopy findings associated with these infections.
  • To evaluate the relationship between Ureaplasma urealyticum quantitation and urethritis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective case-notes survey of 1718 attendees at a genitourinary medicine clinic.
  • Utilized an in-house assay for detecting Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), Trichomonas vaginalis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Ureaplasma parvum.
  • Quantitation of Ureaplasma species was performed.

Main Results:

  • Prevalence rates: U. parvum (35.6%), U. urealyticum (16.1%), CT (7.1%), MG (1.0%), NG (0.6%), T. vaginalis (0.2%).
  • In men, CT, MG, and NG were significantly associated with discharge and dysuria. CT, MG, and NG were also associated with >4 pus cells/high power field on microscopy.
  • No confirmed link between U. urealyticum quantitation and urethritis was found.

Conclusions:

  • Ureaplasma species are highly prevalent in this genitourinary clinic population.
  • CT, MG, and NG show significant associations with specific symptoms and microscopy findings in men.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the role of Ureaplasma urealyticum in urethritis.
Keywords:
Mycoplasma genitaliumUreaplasma urealyticumclinical featuresmicroscopyprevalencequantitationsexually transmitted infectionsurethritis

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