Infections of the reproductive tract Flashcards
What is the most common STI in the UK?
Chlamydia Trachomatis
What ‘risky sexual behaviours’ are risk factors for developing an STI?
- Multiple sexual partners
- Not using barrier contraception
- Early age 1st intercourse
- Sexual practice (MSM and anal)
What factors, other than risk sexual behaviour, can lead to increased risk of STI?
- Low socio- economic status
- Race/ ethnicity
- Lack of immunisation (Hep B, HPV)
What kind of bacterium is chlamydia trachomatis and what are its virulence factors?
Obligate intracellular bacterium
Unique cell wall. Gets taken up by phagocytosis but inhibits phagolysosome fusion so cannot be degraded
How does chlamydia trachomatis present in males and females?
Males: typically asymptomatic but may present with dysuria, discharge, testicular pain
Women: typically asymptomatic but may have discharge, post- coital bleeding or painful sex
What complications can arise from chlamydia infection?
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Conjuctivitis
- Reactive arthritis
What kind of bacterium is Neisseria gonorrhoeae?
- Gram negative
- Intracellular
- Diplococcus
- Unencapsulated
- Pilae
How does Gonorrhoeae present in males and females?
Males: 90% are symptomatic, causes thick, yellow discharge +/- dysuria
Females: typically asymptomatic but can cause vaginal discharge and lower abdominal pain
What complications can arise as a result of infection with Neisseria Gonorrhoeae?
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (women)
- Epididymo-orchitis i.e. testical inflammation (men)
- Reactive arthritis
How would you treat an infection with Chlamydia Trachomatis?
1st line: antibiotics (doxycycline or axithromycin) or will use erythromycin if allergic or pregnant
How would you treat an infection with Neisseria Gonorrhoeae?
1st line treatment: antibiotic therapy mainly ceftriaxone or add azithromycin to boost the effect
What is Non-Gonococcal Urethritis?
Inflammation of the urethra with associated discharge
Anything that causes inflammation that is not gonorrhoeae
Can be pathogen negative or, chlamydia, mycoplasma gentalium, trichomonas vaginalis
How would you investigate a patient who presented with penile/ vaginal discharge?
Urine sample
- Gonorrohoea: Microscopy & culture, NAATs (nucleic acid amplification test)
- Chlamydia: NAATs
- Urethritis: NAATs
Urethral Swab
For Gonorrhoea
What is a normal cause of vaginal discharge and how does this appear clinically?
Thickening of cervical mucus post ovulation due to progesterone
Features:
- cyclical
- clear
- no other associated features
What clinical features might a woman with a Trichomonas Vaginalis infection present with?
- Copious, yellow and odourous discharge