Sexually Transmitted Infections-2 Flashcards
What is urethritis?
Mucopurulent or purulent discharge
Most infections are asymptomatic
The 2 most common causes are Neisseria gonorrhea and chlamydia trachomatis
Reportable diseases
How to confirm urethritis?
Discharge
Gram stain f secretions - >5 WBC/oil immersion field
Gonorrhea present with intracellular gram negative diplococci in smear
Positive leukocyte esterase on first void urine (WBC>10/hpf)
Nucleic acid amplification tests are available for diagnosis
What is cervicitis?
Purulent or mucopurulent endocervical exudate visible in endocervical canal or on swab
Often asymptomatic
If symptomatic- abdominal vaginal discharge and bleeding
Can lead to external dysuria, urgency and frequency are less common
What is gonorrhea?
Infection of the columnar and transitional epithelial cells by Neisseria gonorrhea
Gram negative kidney bean shaped diplococcus
Very fragile organism
Killed by cotton swab
Isolated on Thayer Martin plates
Human are the only known host
What are the manifestations of gonorrhea in females?
30% are asymptomatic Cervicitis Anorectal infection Urethral infection Bartholinitis Fitz- Hugh- Curtis syndrome- inflammation of liver creating adhesions
What are the manifestations of gonorrhea in heterosexual males?
Erythema and inflammation of the urethral opening, purulent discharge, dysuria (urethritis)
Usually symptomatic
What are the manifestations of gonorrhea in homosexual males?
Urethritis
Anorectal infection
Pharyngitis
What are the manifestations of disseminated gonococcal infections?
Represent 1-3% of cases Usually asymptomatic Low grade fever Migratory polyarthralgia Tenosynovitis- skin rashes
What are the manifestations of gonorrhea in children and infants?
During childbirth can infect conjunctiva, pharynx, respiratory and GI tract
Eye infections- ophthalmia neonatorum
How to diagnose gonorrhea ?
Evaluate signs and symptoms
Gram stain
Culture of exudate on Thayer Martin
How to interpret the stained smears of gonorrhea?
Presence of intracellular gram negative diplococci suggests positive test
Test is questionable if only extracellular gram negative diplococci are present
In males urethral swab confirms diagnostic
In females cervical swab does not confirm diagnostic , diagnosis confirmed by culture
How to treat gonorrhea?
Antibiotics- ceftriaxone or azithromycin
If can’t rule out chlamydia add doxycycline
No vaccine available
Best prevention is educating patients
Chemoprophylaxis to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum
What is Non gonococcal urethritis (NGU)?
Most frequent cause of urethritis in heterosexual men
Most cases are of unknown cause
Chlamydia trachomatis is most common
What are the signs and symptoms of NGU?
Urethral discharge- clear rather than purulent
Pain on urination
Itch in the meatal region
History of genital infection in a male or female partner
Who are more affected by NGU?
Men between the age 15-30 with multiple sexual partners
Commonly seen in college campuses and in rural America
Spread almost exclusively through sexual contact