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Bacteriology

Men and Women Have Similar Neisseria gonorrhoeae Bacterial Loads: a Comparison of Three Anatomical Sites

Brian M. J. W. van der Veer, Christian J. P. A. Hoebe, Nicole H. T. M. Dukers-Muijrers, Lieke B. van Alphen, Petra F. G. Wolffs
Erik Munson, Editor
Brian M. J. W. van der Veer
aDepartment of Medical Microbiology, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Christian J. P. A. Hoebe
aDepartment of Medical Microbiology, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), Maastricht, the Netherlands
bDepartment of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, South Limburg Public Health Service, Heerlen, the Netherlands
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Nicole H. T. M. Dukers-Muijrers
bDepartment of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, South Limburg Public Health Service, Heerlen, the Netherlands
cDepartment of Health Promotion, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Lieke B. van Alphen
aDepartment of Medical Microbiology, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Petra F. G. Wolffs
aDepartment of Medical Microbiology, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Erik Munson
Marquette University
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DOI: 10.1128/JCM.01171-20
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ABSTRACT

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI). Currently, there are limited data on the bacterial load in both men and women and on both genital and extragenital sites. Therefore, we quantified N. gonorrhoeae bacterial loads in a large population of women, heterosexual men, and men who have sex with men (MSM) at three different anatomical sites. N. gonorrhoeae-positive samples (n = 1265) of STI clinic consultations (n = 944) were tested for N. gonorrhoeae with the Roche Cobas 4800 system, and quantification cycle (Cq) values were used as an inversely proportional measure for N. gonorrhoeae bacterial load after interpolation from a standard curve. Bacterial loads were compared between sample materials and sexes using t tests. The following mean N. gonorrhoeae loads were observed: urine, 4.5 ± 1.0 log10 CFU/ml; vaginal swabs, 4.3 ± 1.1 log10 CFU/ml; anorectal swabs (women), 4.0 ± 1.2 log10 CFU/ml; anorectal swabs (men), 4.5 ± 1.3 log10 CFU/ml; oropharyngeal swabs (women), 2.8 ± 0.9 log10 CFU/ml; and oropharyngeal swabs (men), 3.2 ± 1.0 log10 CFU/ml. Oropharyngeal swabs had a significantly lower N. gonorrhoeae load (P < 0.001) than genital and anorectal samples. Loads did not differ between men and women. This is the first study that determined N. gonorrhoeae load in both women and men at three anatomical sites. The substantial N. gonorrhoeae load at all sample sites suggest that all sites may have transmission potential. However, the oropharyngeal site presents the lowest bacterial load. Men and women have a similar N. gonorrhoeae loads on separate anatomical sites, arguing for similar transmission potential and similar clinical relevance.

FOOTNOTES

    • Received 18 May 2020.
    • Returned for modification 21 June 2020.
    • Accepted 8 August 2020.
    • Accepted manuscript posted online 12 August 2020.
  • Supplemental material is available online only.

  • Copyright © 2020 American Society for Microbiology.

All Rights Reserved.

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Men and Women Have Similar Neisseria gonorrhoeae Bacterial Loads: a Comparison of Three Anatomical Sites
Brian M. J. W. van der Veer, Christian J. P. A. Hoebe, Nicole H. T. M. Dukers-Muijrers, Lieke B. van Alphen, Petra F. G. Wolffs
Journal of Clinical Microbiology Oct 2020, 58 (11) e01171-20; DOI: 10.1128/JCM.01171-20

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Men and Women Have Similar Neisseria gonorrhoeae Bacterial Loads: a Comparison of Three Anatomical Sites
Brian M. J. W. van der Veer, Christian J. P. A. Hoebe, Nicole H. T. M. Dukers-Muijrers, Lieke B. van Alphen, Petra F. G. Wolffs
Journal of Clinical Microbiology Oct 2020, 58 (11) e01171-20; DOI: 10.1128/JCM.01171-20
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KEYWORDS

Neisseria gonorrhoeae
bacterial load
symptoms
extragenital
transmission

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