[Diagnosis of urethritis in general practice. Methods and possibilities]

The diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases can be exactly defined nowadays, since the specific germs responsible for urethritis have been microbiologically characterized. The term "unspecific urethritis", therefore, should be replaced or completed by the identified specific germ. A short description is given of the various techniques (native procedures, staining, culture, and technical methods like Elisa or immunofluorescence), which can be performed in dermatologic practises. In addition, a survey of the urethritis germs isolated at the Hamburg Department of Dermatology is presented.