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Anaerobic bacteria in men with urethritis
J Mazuecos1, J Aznar, A Rodriguez-Pichardo
1Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Spain.
Summary
Anaerobic bacteria in the urethra are linked to urethritis in men. Specific anaerobic species like Prevotella and Bacteroides are more common in non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU), indicating a changing microflora with infection.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Urology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Urethritis is a common condition in men, often associated with sexually transmitted infections.
- The role of anaerobic bacteria in the urethral microflora and their association with urethritis requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the urethral flora in men with urethritis, focusing on the prevalence and types of anaerobic bacteria.
- To determine if specific anaerobic bacteria are associated with different causes of urethritis, including gonococcal (GU) and non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU).
Main Methods:
- Collected urethral samples from 110 men: 35 controls and 75 with urethritis (17 GU, 58 NGU).
- Performed multiple cultures to identify aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, and tested for Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Trichomonas vaginalis in NGU cases.
Main Results:
- Anaerobic flora were isolated in 62% of patients, with Gram-negative anaerobes more frequent in urethritis cases, especially NGU.
- Prevotella spp. and Bacteroides spp. were significantly more common in NGU, including Chlamydia-negative NGU.
- Specific species like Fusobacterium spp. (Chlamydia-positive NGU), B. ureolyticus (Chlamydia-negative NGU), and P. tetradius (C. trachomatis-positive NGU) showed increased prevalence.
Conclusions:
- The urethral microflora, comprising ten anaerobic genera and 25 species, changes in the presence of urethritis.
- The spectrum of anaerobic bacteria isolated varies depending on the etiology of urethritis, suggesting their involvement in the disease process.