title: The urethral smear as a tool in diagnosing adenovirus-induced urethritis.
abstract: Adenovirus is a recognised cause of non-gonococcal urethritis, and is not uncommonly associated with extragenital signs and symptoms. This case report describes a patient with symptoms of conjunctivitis, meatitis and urethritis. The urethral smear revealed almost exclusively monocytes microscopically, raising the suspicion of a viral aetiology. Results confirmed the presence of adenovirus in both the eyes and urethra. Despite waning reliance on the urethral smear in sexual health clinics, it can still be an important diagnostic tool in assessing the aetiology of non-specific urethritis. Finding an obvious monocytic cell response in the urethral smear can indicate a viral cause and allow the clinician to optimise management, counsel appropriately, and potentially reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.
authors.affiliation: Olafia Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Dermatology and Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tønsberg
authors.affiliation: Olafia Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Dermatology and Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway ushhar@ous-hf.no.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hartgill
mesh_terms: D000258:Adenovirus Infections, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D000260:Adenoviruses, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003236:Conjunctivitis, Viral; D053159:Dysuria / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014526:Urethritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents
keywords: Gram stain; NGU; NSU; Sexually transmitted infection; adenovirus; diagnosis; microscopy; monocytosis; non-gonococcal urethritis; non-specific urethritis; urethral smear