Sexually Transmitted Infections in Male Patients with Urethritis

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Infectious Diseases
• Molecular Epidemiology

Background:

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pose significant public health risks for men, potentially leading to severe health outcomes.
• Urethritis in men is a common condition often linked to STIs, necessitating accurate etiological diagnosis.
• Understanding the prevalence of specific STI pathogens in this demographic is crucial for effective public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the frequency of key microorganisms associated with STIs in men diagnosed with urethritis.
• To investigate the clinical correlations and risk factors associated with these STIs in the studied population.
• To provide molecular epidemiological data on STIs in men attending urology consultations in Mexico.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 200 men attending urology consultations provided informed consent for interviews and urine sample collection.
• Clinical histories were obtained, focusing on risk factors, signs, and symptoms related to genitourinary conditions.
• Molecular identification of *Chlamydia trachomatis*, *Neisseria gonorrhoeae*, *Ureaplasma urealyticum*, and *Mycoplasma genitalium* was performed using species-specific DNA amplification.

Main Results:

• The study included 200 men with a mean age of 55 years.
• High rates of unprotected sexual intercourse (75%) and low levels of prior sex education (32.5%) were reported.
• Molecular analysis detected *C. trachomatis* in 9.5% of patients, *U. urealyticum* in 13%, and *M. genitalium* in 2%.

Conclusions:

• This study represents a significant molecular epidemiological investigation of STIs in men within Mexico's tertiary care setting.
• The detected frequencies of *C. trachomatis*, *U. urealyticum*, and *M. genitalium* align with global trends.
• Findings underscore the importance of STI screening and education in men presenting with urethritis, particularly given associated risk factors.