Men with repeated episodes of gonorrhoea 1990-1992

Patients who acquire repeated infections of gonorrhoea are well described. A study was undertaken of male patients attending a central London clinic in an attempt to identify features of those acquiring repeated infections to facilitate risk reduction strategies. During the 3 years 1990 to 1992, 18.8% of patients contributed 35.8% of episodes with a mean time between episodes of 10.5 weeks. Those with repeat infections were more likely to be black and to have had more than one episode of gonorrhoea prior to the study period. They are also more likely to have had 3 or more recent partners. While those with repeated infections do not form a homogeneous group there are certain characteristics that should enable targeting of a subgroup.