Colonization of the pharynx with Neisseria gonorrhoeae: experience in a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases.
At a clinic for treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, 1,453 patients were examined for pharyngeal colonization with Neisseria gonorrhoeae. A history of oral sex was reported by 895 (61.2%) of the patients. N. gonorrhoeae was isolated from the pharynges of 42 (2.9%) of the 1,453 patients. Twenty-seven of the 42 patients with N. gonorrhoeae-positive cultures gave histories of oral sex, and all 42 patients reported orogenital contact when questioned again at a follow-up visit. Seven patients with positive cultures had pharyngeal symptoms; all seven practiced fellatio. Eleven of the infected men were asymptomatic heterosexuals whose only orogenital contact was cunnilingus.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D010614:Pharynx / Q000382:microbiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior