Genital warts: incidence of associated genital infections

Two hundred and seventy-eight men and 200 women who presented to a Special Treatment Clinic with genital warts were screened for accompanying genital infections. One hundred and twenty-nine of 212 presentations (61%) in women compared to 98 of 303 presentations (32%) in men were accompanied by another genital infection P less than 0.001). Recurrent presentation with warts was commoner in men (P less than 0.001). In both sexes recurrences were less likely to be accompanied by another genital infection. (P less than 0.002). Yeasts (25%), C. vaginale (21%), N.gonorrhoea (12%) and T. vaginalis (12%) were the commonest pathogens in women. Non-specific genital infection (17%) and gonorrhoea (10%) were the commonest accompanying infections in men. The identification and treatment of these infections, especially in women, is important for the rapid eradication of warts, for, by increasing genital moisture they can create and maintain a favourable environment for wart proliferation. In addition to screening all patients with warts for other sexually transmitted diseases, women should be screened for yeasts and C. vaginale.