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Isolation of Haemophilus species from the genital tract
Abstract:
Haemophilus influenzae was isolated from the urethra of three of 85 men attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic. These isolates of H. influenzae were nonencapsulated; one was biotype III, and two were biotype IV. Haemophilus parainfluenzae was isolated from the urethra or coronal sulcus of five men; three isolates were biotype II, and two were biotype III. Neither H. influenzae nor H. parainfluenzae was isolated from the genital secretions of 84 women. Haemophilus ducreyi and Haemophilus equigenitalis (contagious equine metritis bacterium) were not isolated from any of the 169 patients.
Insights
Nonencapsulated Haemophilus influenzae was found in the male urethra, but not in female genital secretions. This study investigated Haemophilus species in patients at a sexually transmitted diseases clinic.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Haemophilus species are known human commensals and pathogens.
- Certain Haemophilus species are associated with sexually transmitted infections, such as Haemophilus ducreyi.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae in the male and female genital tracts.
- To determine if these non-venereal Haemophilus species are present in patients attending a sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic.
Main Methods:
- Urethral and genital secretion samples were collected from men and women attending an STD clinic.
- Samples were cultured for the presence of Haemophilus species.
- Isolates were identified to species and biotype level.
Main Results:
- Haemophilus influenzae was isolated from the urethra of 3 out of 85 men; these isolates were nonencapsulated.
- Haemophilus parainfluenzae was isolated from the urethra or coronal sulcus of 5 out of 85 men.
- Neither H. influenzae nor H. parainfluenzae was detected in genital secretions from 84 women.
Conclusions:
- Nonencapsulated Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae can be isolated from the male genital tract.
- These species do not appear to colonize the female genital tract in this population.
- Further research is needed to understand the clinical significance of these findings.