Clinical study of male urethritis in Oogaki Municipal Hospital

We studied 181 patients diagnosed with male urethritis at Oogaki Municipal Hospital from April 2002 to March 2004. Twenty-two out of 92 patients diagnosed with gonococcal urethritis (GU) and 52 out of 89 patients diagnosed with non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) were positive for Chlamidia trichomatis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Most patients of male urethritis were in their twenties. Of GU patients, 39 (67%) were infected from commercial sex workers (CSWs). Of NGU patients, 12 (30%) were infected from CSWs, 24 (40%) from girl friends and 4 (10%) from their Twenty-eight (48%) out of GU patients were infected through oral sex. spouse. Eighty-three GU patients were treated with SPCM (2 g, one shot). Fifty-five patients could be evaluated for the efficacy of treatment. Elimination rate of Neisseria gonorrhoeae was 100% and 14 out of 18 patients with persisting urethritis had C. trichomatis. Eighty-two NGU patients were treated with minocycline, tosufloxacin, levofloxacin, gatiflixacin or clarithromycine. Sixty-six patients could be evaluated for the efficacy of treatment. Forty-one patients were diagnosed with non-gonococcal chlamydial urethritis (NGCU) and 25 patients were diagnosed with non-gonococcal, non-chlamydial urethritis (NGNCU). The clinical curative rate of NGCU and NGNCU was 93% (38/41) and 80% (20/25), respectively.     

Clinical studies of male urethritis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis

From January through June 1983, 178 male patients with urethritis were investigated on the etiology and epidemiological and clinical features. By using Chlamydia trachomatis direct specimen test (Micro Trak), C. trachomatis was detected in 60 (47.2%) among 127 patients with non-gonococcal urethritis, while it was detected 8 (15.7%) among 51 patients with gonococcal urethritis. The source of infection was a non-prostitute in 30% of chlamydial urethritis, while in gonorrheal urethritis only one patient was infected from a non-prostitute. Mean incubation period of chlamydial and gonorrheal urethritis was 28.5 and 9.2 days, respectively. In chlamydial urethritis, 33.3% of patients did not complain of urination pain and 20.4% showed no urethral discharge. Symptoms of chlamydial urethritis were milder than those of gonorrheal urethritis.     

Ureaplasma urealyticum and mycoplasma hominis in male urethritis]

We conducted a multi-center clinical study to evaluate the role of Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis in male urethritis. The incidence of each organism in first-voided urine samples of 160 male urethritis patients, including 28 with gonococcal and 126 with non-gonococcal urethritis, was investigated. U. urealyticum and M. hominis were isolated from 13.6% and 6.5%, respectively, of the urine samples, and the concentration of each mycoplasma exceeded 10(3) ccu/ml (color changing units/ml) in 5.2% and 3.9%, respectively. Among 64 patients with non-gonococcal non-chlamydial urethritis, U. urealyticum and M. hominis concentration exceeding more than 10(3) ccu/ml were detected in only two and one samples, respectively. The incidence among urethritis patients with a concentration of either mycoplasma exceeding 10(3) ccu/ml was not significantly greater than that among subfertile males without urethritis. The findings of the present study suggest that, although mycoplasmas may cause urethritis in some patients, the incidence of urethritis due to U. urealyticum or M. hominis is low among patients with non-gonococcal, non-chlamydial urethritis.     

DETECTION OF MYCOPLASMA GENITALIUM IN PATIENTS WITH URETHRITIS

Purpose

We attempted to detect Mycoplasma genitalium in urethral swab specimens by a polymerase chain reaction based assay to determine the prevalence of M. genitalium in patients with urethritis.

Materials and Methods

We examined a total of 171 Japanese men who presented to our hospital from February 1995 through January 1997. Of these men 150 had symptoms and signs compatible with acute urethritis and 21 had no symptoms or signs of urethritis. Urethral swab specimens were used to culture Neisseria gonorrhoeae, to detect Chlamydia trachomatis by an enzyme immunoassay and to detect M. genitalium by a polymerase chain reaction based assay.

Results

Gonococcal urethritis was diagnosed in 74 symptomatic men, and nongonococcal urethritis was diagnosed in 76 symptomatic men. Of the 74 cases of gonococcal urethritis 3 (4.1%) were positive for M. genitalium, and 14 (18.9%) were positive for C. trachomatis. Of the 76 cases of nongonococcal urethritis 10 (13.2%) were positive for M. genitalium, and 42 (55.2%) were positive for C. trachomatis. While only 1 of the 42 cases with chlamydial nongonococcal urethritis (2.4%) was positive for M. genitalium, 9 of the 34 chlamydia negative nongonococcal urethritis cases (26.5%) were positive for the mycoplasma. In contrast, all 21 cases men were negative for N. gonorrhoeae, M. genitalium, and C. trachomatis.

Conclusions

The prevalences of M. genitalium in patients with gonococcal urethritis and nongonococcal urethritis who attended our clinic were 4.1 and 13.2%, respectively. M. genitalium was detected significantly more often in men with nongonococcal urethritis than in asymptomatic men. In addition, its prevalence in men with chlamydia negative nongonococcal urethritis (26.5%) was significantly greater than in those with chlamydia positive nongonococcal urethritis (2.4%). These findings suggest that M. genitalium may be associated with the development of nongonococcal urethritis independent of C. trachomatis.     

Clinical studies of Chlamydia trachomatis in male urethritis

From January through December 1986, the urethral smear specimens from 132 male urethritis patients were examined by using Chlamydia trachomatis direct specimen test (Micro Trak). C. trachomatis was detected in 59 (44.7%) out of 132 male urethritis patients, 8 (30.8%) out of 26 patients with gonococcal urethritis (GU), and 51 (48.1%) out of 106 patients with non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU). In 5 (31.3%) out of 16 cases, already treated in other hospitals, infection of C. trachomatis was revealed. The age distribution of the patients with chlamydial urethritis (NGU-C) was between 19 and 52 years old, and the average was 30.9 years old. The peak incubation periods of GU and NGU-C were seen within 7 days and between 8 and 14 days, respectively. In NGU-C patients, 70.6% of them showed WBC less than or equal to 9/hpf in first voided urine sediment. The source of infection was a non-prostitute in 22.2% and a prostitute in 72.2% of GU, while in NGU-C 23.5% was infected from a non-prostitute, and 62.7% from a prostitute. Ofloxacin (OFLX) was administered in a daily dosage of 600 mg (in 3 divided oral doses) for 5 to 14 days in 38 NGU-C patients, and C. trachomatis was eliminated in all cases after the treatment.     

Urethritis in white men--a microbiological appraisal.

The incidence of infections with Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis and mycoplasmas has been assessed in White men with urethritis who were attending a Johannesburg clinic for sexually transmitted diseases. Infection with N. gonorrhoeae was demonstrated in 54% of 212 patients with urethritis. C. trachomatis was isolated from 37% of patients with non-gonococcal urethritis, and from 25% with proven gonococcal infection. Although T-mycoplasmas were isolated significantly more often from patients with urethritis (41%) than from controls (23%) (P less than 0,05) their role in the aetiology of urethritis is uncertain.     

Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis with a direct specimen test (MicroTrack) in urethritis patients

The urethral smear specimens from 197 male urethritis patients attending our department and 4 affiliated hospitals were examined for Chlamydia trachomatis between April, 1984 and May, 1985, using fluorescein-labeled monoclonal antibodies (Direct Specimen Test; MicroTrack, Syva Co., USA). C. trachomatis was detected in 7 (25.0%) out of 28 patients with gonococcal urethritis, and 83 (49.1%) out of 169 patients with nongonococcal urethritis. The detection rates were almost comparable to those of other reports that used the cell culture method. The direct test is a time-saving, non-culture method useful for the diagnosis of chlamydial infection.     

Uretritis masculina. Una revisión del método ideal de diagnóstico

Male urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra and the periurethral glands; it is widely classified as gonococcal or non-gonococcal. The most frequent microorganisms responsible are Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Ureaplasma parvum.In the last three decades, the diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases depended almost exclusively on traditional methods, such as culture, enzyme immunoassay, fluorescent antibody staining, and hybridization, until the appearance of molecular techniques.Clinical syndromes such as urethritis are rarely specific for a single microorganism, so screening strategies should allow multiple agents to be considered. Multiplex PCR is the fastest and most sensitive technique for the diagnosis of gonococcal and non-gonococcal urethritis.Male urethritis without treatment is one of the main health problems related to reproductive and sexual function, constituting one of the main causes of infertility. The objective of this mini-review was to analyze the epidemiology, causes, diagnosis, and complications of male urethritis.     

Clinical feature of male non-gonorrhoea urethritis and minocycline treatment of Chlamydia or Ureaplasma-infected urethritis

Thirty-nine male patients with urethritis were studied for gonorrhoea or non-gonorrhoea infections. Only 2 patients were infected with N. gonorrhoeae, the other 37 patients were non-gonorrhoea urethritis (NGU). In 9 of these patients, C. trachomatis was identified and in 6 patients, U. urealyticum was isolated. No chlamydial urethritis was combined with ureaplasma. There was no clinical difference between chlamydia and ureaplasma infection, such as serous urethral discharge or mild pyuria. Minocycline was given orally at the dose of 200 mg daily for 7 to 42 days to these patients. Seven of the 9 patients (78%) with C. trachomatis and 7 of the 6 patients (67%) with U. urealyticum infection showed improvement of subjective and objective symptoms after minocycline. In no case, was an adverse reaction noted. Minocycline was effective in the treatment of both C. trachomatis and U. urealyticum urethral infection.     

Treatment of nongonococcal urethritis--studies on clinical effects of ofloxacin

Clinical effects of ofloxacin (OFLX) in the treatment of chlamydial urethritis was compared with those in the treatment of non-chlamydial urethritis. Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated from 33 (39.3%) out of 84 patients with nongonococcal urethritis. OFLX was administered at a dose of 100 mg, three times daily (300 mg) for 14 days. In 31 (93.3%) of the 33 patients with chlamydial urethritis, C. trachomatis was eliminated within 7 to 14 days after the start of administration, and, in two patients, inclusion bodies decreased in number but persisted. The subjective and objective clinical symptoms, urethral discharge, polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMNL) in smears, and pyuria in VB1 of the patients with chlamydial urethritis, disappeared in 56.0, 57.6, and 63.0% of the cases, and improved in 24.0, 30.0 and 29.6% respectively, whereas those of the patients with non-chlamydial urethritis, urethral discharge, PMNL, and pyuria in VB1 disappeared in 57.6, 56.9 and 32.9%, and improved in 26.9, 13.7 and 37.9%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the clinical effects of OFLX between cases of chlamydial urethritis and those of non-chlamydial urethritis. Marked improvement in clinical symptoms were observed between day 7 and day 14 of medication in cases of both chlamydial and non-chlamydial urethritis. In nine out of 11 cases of non-chlamydial urethritis where OFLX was ineffective, no Ureaplasma nor aerobes, nor C. trachomatis, were isolated. In the remaining two cases where Ureaplasma and S. epidermidis were isolated respectively, these two bacteria were eradicated after medication, but urethral discharge and PMNL remained unchanged.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Acute urethritis caused by Neisseria meningitidis and Chlamydia trachomatis

A 16-year-old heterosexual man presented to our hospital with a purulent urethral discharge and pain at voiding. These symptoms began seven days after oral-genital contact (fellatio) with his partner. A Gram-stained smear from the urethral discharge showed Gram-negative diplococci, and the antigen of Chlamydia trachomatis from urine was positive. We initially made a diagnosis of urethritis caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis. However, N. meningitidis was isolated by culture. Clinicians should pay attention to the possibility of N. meningitidis infection in all cases resembling gonococcal urethritis.     

Detection of penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae from male patients with urethritis

Eighty-nine isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from 89 male urethritis patients were studied for beta-lactamases (penicillinase) production, and their susceptibilities to benzylpenicillin, amoxicillin, piperacillin, clavulanic acid/amoxicillin (Augmentin), cephalexin, cefotaxime, spectinomycin and minocycline were determined by an agar plate-dilution method. Penicillinase activity was tested by a chromogenic cephalosporin method with nitrocefin as substrate (CefinaseTM discs, BBL, USA) and by a paper strip acidimetric method with benzylpenicillin as substrate (beta-Lactamase detection papers, Oxoid, UK). In addition, 60 of the 89 patients were examined for Chlamydia trachomatis, using fluorescein-labeled monoclonal antibodies (Direct specimen test; Micro TrakTM, Syva Co., USA). Penicillinase-producing N. gonorrhoeae (PPNG) were found in 12 of the 89 strains (13.5%). Although all these strains of PPNG were highly resistant to benzylpenicillin and amoxicillin, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of Augmentin markedly decreased. Piperacillin was highly active against not only non-PPNG but also PPNG strains. More than half the isolates were resistant to cephalexin (MICs greater than or equal to 12.5 micrograms/ml) while all strains including non-PPNG and PPNG were fully sensitive to cefotaxime (MICs less than or equal to 0.20 microgram/ml). Spectinomycin and minocycline had MIC ranges of 6.25 to 25 micrograms/ml and 0.01 to 3.13 micrograms/ml, respectively; the ranges for non-PPNG and PPNG strains were fairly similar. C. trachomatis was detected in 11 (18.3%) out of 60 patients examined. The increasing incidence of PPNG and coexisting chlamydial infection should be taken into account in the treatment of gonococcal urethritis.     

Clinical analysis of male urethritis]

We reviewed 497 patients with male urethritis diagnosed between January, 1986 and March, 1989 at the Asama General Hospital. The incidence of gonococcal urethritis (GU) was 47.7%, and that of non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) 52.3%. There was no difference in the age distribution between GU and NGU. Prostitutes were the most common source of the infection in both GU and NGU. Incubation periods were longer in NGU than in GU, statistically. Urethral discharge was the most common symptom. Purulent urethral discharge was seen more commonly than serous urethral discharge in GU. On the contrary, serous urethral discharge was more common in NGU. Penicillin-resistant gonococcus comprised 29.4% and mixed infection of the C. trachomatis existed 25.6% in GU. C. trachomatis was detected in 71.8% in NGU. In GU, new quinolones and penicillins were administered frequently. The effective rates 1 week after the administration were 80.6% and 83.3%, respectively. In NGU, new quinolones and minocycline were administered frequently. The effective rates were 70.4% and 85.3%, respectively. Ofloxacin (OFLX) showed the highest effective rate to NGU among the four new quinolones. The relapse rate for the two-week administration group was lower than that for the one-week-administration group, but the difference was not statistically significant.     

Chlamydia trachomatis infection among sexual partners of the patients with non-gonococcal urethritis

During the past 3 years, 30 sexual partners including 18 married couples and 12 extramarital sexual pairs whose male partners were diagnosed as having non-gonococcal urethritis were examined for Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Twenty-three of the 30 couples (76.7%) had identical results either positive or negative for Chlamydia trachomatis infection. All 3 male partners of the 3 pairs who had the non-identical results for Chlamydia trachomatis infection, male negative and female positive, had history of urethritis or prostatitis. Fourteen of the 17 female partners (82.4%) who were positive for Chlamydia trachomatis, had no subjective complaints. The above findings suggest the necessity of treating the female sexual partners of the non-gonococcal urethritis patients irrespective of their symptom.     

Efficacy of various single-dose regimens of ceftriaxone in uncomplicated acute gonococcal urethritis in adult males

The therapeutic efficacy of single intramuscular doses of ceftriaxone (Rocephin; Roche) (62.5, 125 and 250 mg), administered without probenecid, was evaluated in 167 adult males with uncomplicated acute gonococcal urethritis. Cure rates of 100% were achieved at 62.5 mg and 250 mg. In the 125 mg dose group, Neisseria gonorrhoeae was isolated from 1 patient at follow-up after therapy. Reinfection was suspected, since this patient returned on day 10 and admitted to sexual contact 2 days previously. Side-effects were minimal, and patient acceptance was better for ceftriaxone dissolved in lignocaine than in sterile water. Chlamydia trachomatis was detected at follow-up in 14.4% patients, confirming that ceftriaxone has no significant effect on chlamydial infection and additional treatment is necessary for patients with coexistent infection.     

Bacteriological and clinical studies on levofloxacin in male gonococcal urethritis]

We performed basic and clinical studies in male gonococcal urethritis on a new oral antimicrobial agent, levofloxacin (LVFX, DR-3355), a new quinolone derivative. The antibacterial activity of LVFX against clinical strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae was roughly comparable to that of ofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin. LVFX was administered to 10 males with gonococcal urethritis, 200 mg twice a day (8 cases) or 100 mg twice a day for 3 days (2 cases). Clinical evaluation was made according to the criteria of the Japanese UTI Committee. Overall efficacy rate was 100% (10/10). In the complication of chlamydia trachomatis (2 cases), efficacy rate was 100% (2/2). No subjective or objective adverse reactions occurred.     

Bacteriological and clinical studies on fleroxacin in male gonococcal urethritis

We performed basic and clinical studies on the effects of a new oral antimicrobial agent, fleroxacin (FLRX), a new quinolone derivative in male gonococcal urethritis. The antibacterial activity of FLRX against clinical strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae was roughly comparable to that of norfloxacin and ofloxacin. FLRX was administered to 58 males with gonococcal urethritis. Two different schedules of administration were adopted. One was a single-dose of 300 mg given orally (17 cases) and the other was the oral administration of 200 mg once a day for 3 to 10 days (41 cases). Clinical evaluation was made according to the criteria of the Japanese UTI Committee. The overall efficacy rate was 98% (49/50). For complications of Chlamydia trachomatis (11 cases), the efficacy rate was 90.9% (10/11). No subjective or objective adverse reaction occurred.     

A comparison of clinical features between chlamydial and non-chlamydial urethritis in men negative for gonococcal infection who attended a urological outpatient clinic in Japan

Objectives The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical features of non-gonococcal urethritis in men who attended a urological outpatient clinic in Japan. Materials and methods This study included a total of 194 patients diagnosed as having non-gonococcal urethritis and subsequently judged as cured following antibiotic therapy between January 2001 and June 2005. Clinical data were analyzed after dividing these patients into two groups as follows: 96 patients with chlamydial urethritis (CU) and 98 with non-chlamydial urethritis (NCU). Results The incubation period in the CU group was significantly longer than that in the NCU group (P = 0.0020). The incidence of severity of symptoms in the NCU group was significantly greater than that in the CU group (P = 0.022), and the interval between the appearance of the initial symptom and consulting the clinic was significantly shorter in the NCU group than in the CU group (P = 0.0015). The proportion of commercial sex workers (CSWs) as the causative partner in the NCU group was significantly greater that in the CU group (P < 0.001), and the incidence of oral sex as the causative mode of sexual interaction was significantly more frequent in the NCU group than that in the CU group (P = 0.021). The duration of antibiotic therapy until cured was significantly longer in the CU group than in the NCU group (P = 0.0051). Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that whether the infection involved CU or NCU was independently associated with the treatment interval irrespective of other factors examined (P = 0.041). Conclusions These findings suggest that the clinical characteristics of CU and NCU clearly differ and that CU tends to require a longer time to cure than NCU; therefore, among patients with non-gonococcal urethritis, it would be particularly important to effectively control the spread of CU.     

The importance and frequency of mixed infections with Chlamydia trachomatis and mycoplasmas in acute gonococcal urethritis

Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis are frequently involved in gonococcal urethritis. We investigated 143 male White and Black patients with gonococcal urethritis (average age 22,5 years). Of these 29% had coexisting Chlam. trachomatis infection, 34% U. urealyticum infection and 13% Mycoplasma hominis infection. Conventional penicillin therapy did not affect Chlam. trachomatis, U. urealyticum or Mycoplasma hominis, which persisted in the lower urogenital tract, causing a so-called 'post-gonococcal urethritis.' Additional therapy with tetracycline or erythromycin was successful in most cases.     

Treatment of men with urethritis negative for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum

OBJECTIVE: Some patients with symptomatic non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) are negative for Chlamydia trachomatis, mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas. The optimal antimicrobial chemotherapy for such NGU has not fully been elucidated, though many studies of antimicrobial chemotherapies for C. trachomatis-positive NGU have been performed. We assessed the efficacy of antimicrobial agents that are active against C. trachomatis on non-mycoplasmal, non-ureaplasmal and non-chlamydial NGU (NMNUNCNGU). METHODS: One hundred men whose first-pass urine samples were negative for C. trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma parvum, and Ureaplasma urealyticum were treated with levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, minocycline, or clarithromycin for 7 days. Urethritis symptoms and the presence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) in urethral smears were assessed before and after treatment. RESULTS: Eighty-eight (88.0%) of 100 men with NMNUNCNGU showed no signs of urethral inflammation after treatment, but two men complained of some symptoms of urethritis. Twelve (12.0%) of 100 men had significant numbers of PMNL in urethral smears, but five of these 12 men had no symptoms of urethritis. The efficacy for normalization of urethral smears was 90.7% for clarithromycin, 89.7% for levofloxacin, 87.5% for gatifloxacin, and 75.0% for minocycline. The 12 men who showed signs of urethral inflammation were retreated with levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, minocycline or clarithromycin for an additional 7 days. The 10 men who returned after the second treatment had negative urethral smears. CONCLUSION: Our present findings suggest that antimicrobial agents active against C. trachomatis are effective against NMNUNCNGU and that a 7-day treatment regimen with an appropriate antimicrobial agent may be sufficient to manage patients with NMNUNCNGU.