Non-gonococcal urethritis

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Non-gonococcal urethritis
SpecialtyUrology Edit this on Wikidata

Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) is an inflammation of the urethra which is not caused by gonorrheal infection.[1]

For treatment purposes, doctors usually classify infectious urethritis in two categories: gonococcocal urethritis, caused by gonorrhea; and non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU).[2]

Causes

There are many causes of NGU.[3]

Bacterial

The most common bacterial cause of NGU is chlamydia trachomatis, but it can also be caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum, Haemophilus vaginalis, and Mycoplasma genitalium.

Viral

Herpes simplex virus (rare), Adenovirus,

Parasitic

Parasitic causes include Trichomonas vaginalis (rare).

Noninfectious

Urethritis can be caused by mechanical injury (from a urinary catheter or a cystoscope), by an irritating chemical (antiseptics or some spermicides).

Symptoms

The symptoms of urethritis can include pain or a burning sensation upon urination (dysuria), a white/cloudy discharge and a feeling that one needs to pass urine frequently. For men the signs and symtoms are discharge from the penis, burning or pain when urinating, itching, irritation, or tenderness, and underwear stain. In women the signs and symtoms are discharge from vagina, burning or pain when urinating, anal or oral infections, abdominal pain or abnormal vaginal bleeding may be an indication that the infection has progressed to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. However, men are frequently, and women are occasionally, asymptomatic.[citation needed]

Diagnosis

Historically, it has been easy to test for the presence of gonorrhea by viewing a Gram's stain of the urethral discharge under a microscope: the causative organism is distinctive in appearance; however, this only works with men because other non-pathogenic gram-negative microbes are present as normal flora of the vagina in women. Thus, one of the major causes of urethritis can be identified (in men) by a simple common test, and the distinction between gonococcal and non-gonococcal urethritis arose historically for this reason.

Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) is diagnosed if a person with urethritis has no signs of gonorrhea bacteria on laboratory tests. The most frequent cause of NGU (23%-55% of cases) is chlamydia.

Non-specific urethritis

In the United Kingdom, NGU is more often called non-specific urethritis;[4][5][6] "non-specific" is a medical term meaning "specific cause has not been identified", and in this case refers to urethritis having been detected, and gonorrhea having been tested for but found negative. In this sense, the most likely cause of NSU is a chlamydia infection.

However, the term NSU is sometimes distinguished and used to mean that both gonorrhea and chlamydia have been ruled out.[7] Thus, depending on the sense, chlamydia can either be the most likely cause or have been ruled out.

Treatment

Treatment is based on the prescription and use of the proper antibiotics depending on the strain of the ureaplasma.[8]

Because of its multi-causative nature, initial treatment strategies involve using a broad range antibiotic that is effective against chlamydia (such as doxycycline). It is imperative that both the patient and any sexual contacts are treated. Women who are infected with the organisms that cause NGU may develop pelvic inflammatory disease. If symptoms persist, follow-up with a urologist may be necessary to identify the cause.

If left untreated, complications include epididymitis and infertility. Consistent and correct use of latex condoms during sexual activity greatly reduces the likelihood of infection.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Nongonococcal Urethritis and Chlamydial Cervicitis: Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD): Merck Manual Home Edition". Retrieved 2008-01-01.
  2. ^ Burstein GR, Zenilman JM (1999). "Nongonococcal urethritis--a new paradigm". Clin. Infect. Dis. 28 Suppl 1: S66–73. doi:10.1086/514728. PMID 10028111. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  3. ^ Bradshaw CS, Tabrizi SN, Read TR; et al. (2006). "Etiologies of nongonococcal urethritis: bacteria, viruses, and the association with orogenital exposure". J. Infect. Dis. 193 (3): 336–45. doi:10.1086/499434. PMID 16388480. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Non-specific urethritis, NHS
  5. ^ Non-specific Urethritis (NSU), NHS, Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM)
  6. ^ NSU (non-specific urethritis), BBC
  7. ^ Non-specific urethritis (NSU) and Cervicitis
  8. ^ "Nongonococcal Urethritis (NGU) - BC HealthFile #08b". Retrieved 2008-01-01.