title: Pharyngeal Gonorrhoea in Women: An Important Reservoir for Increasing Neisseria gonorrhoea Prevalence in Urban Australian Heterosexuals?
abstract: We aim to characterize sexual behavioral aspects of heterosexual Neisseria gonorrhoea (NG) acquisition in two Sexually Transmitted Diseases clinics in Sydney, Australia, in 2008-2012. Of 167 NG cases, 102 were heterosexually acquired with a trend of increasing NG prevalence in heterosexuals from 1.1% (95% CI 0.6-2.1) in 2008 to 3.0% (95% CI 2.0-4.0) in 2012 (P = 0.027). Of heterosexual male cases, unprotected fellatio was the likely sexual activity for NG acquisition in 21/69 (30.4%) and commercial sex work (CSW) contact the likely source in 28/69 (40.6%). NG prevalence overall in CSW (2.2%) was not significantly higher than in non-CSW (1.2%) (P = 0.15), but in 2012 there was a significant increase in NG prevalence in CSW (8.6%) compared to non-CSW (1.6%) (P < 0.001). Pharyngeal NG was found in 9/33 (27.3%) female cases. Decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone (MIC ≥ 0.03 mg/L) occurred in 2.5% NG isolates, none heterosexually acquired. All were azithromycin susceptible. A significant trend of increasing prevalence of heterosexual gonorrhoea in an urban Australian STD clinic setting is reported. We advocate maintenance of NG screening in women, including pharyngeal screening in all women with partner change who report fellatio, as pharyngeal NG may be an important reservoir for heterosexual transmission. Outreach to CSW should be enhanced.
authors: Short Street Sexual Health Centre, Department of Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Sexual Health, St. George Hospital, Kogarah, Sydney, NSW 2217, Australia ; St. George Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
authors: M Josephine
authors: MJ
authors: Lusk
authors: Short Street Sexual Health Centre, Department of Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Sexual Health, St. George Hospital, Kogarah, Sydney, NSW 2217, Australia.
authors: Ruby N N
authors: RN
authors: Uddin
authors: WHO Collaborating Centre for STD, Microbiology Department, South Eastern Area Laboratory Services, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia.
authors: Monica M
authors: MM
authors: Lahra
authors: Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
authors: Frances L
authors: FL
authors: Garden
authors: WHO Collaborating Centre for STD, Microbiology Department, South Eastern Area Laboratory Services, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia.
authors: Ratan L
authors: RL
authors: Kundu
authors: Short Street Sexual Health Centre, Department of Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Sexual Health, St. George Hospital, Kogarah, Sydney, NSW 2217, Australia ; St. George Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
authors: Pam
authors: P
authors: Konecny