Abstract
The current methods used in the diagnosis of gonorrhoea are reported. The sites sampled in symptomatic patients who were not gonorrhoea contacts and those sampled in symptomless contacts are described. Urethral specimens were taken routinely from all male heterosexual and active homosexual patients with a urethral discharge but in only 81% and 82% respectively of these patients if they were symptomless gonorrhoea contacts. Not all consultants would repeat investigations (smear and/or cultures) in gonorrhoea contacts if the initial ones were negative; heterosexual male and active homosexual patients were less likely to be seen again. Smears and cultures were performed routinely on women in 97% of clinics, but for men this was so in only 81% of clinics. The wider use of cultures for men, the policy with regard to the taking of urethral specimens from asymptomatic male heterosexual and active homosexual patients who are gonorrhoea contacts, and the number of diagnostic investigations required are discussed.
Full text
PDFSelected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Adler M. W., Belsey E. M., O'Connor B. H., Catterall R. D., Miller D. L. Facilities and diagnostic criteria in sexually transmitted disease clinics in England and Wales. Br J Vener Dis. 1978 Feb;54(1):2–9. doi: 10.1136/sti.54.1.2. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Ashford W. A., Golash R. G., Hemming V. G. Penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Lancet. 1976 Sep 25;2(7987):657–658. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(76)92467-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Barlow D., Nayyar K., Phillips I., Barrow J. Diagnosis of gonorrhoea in women. Br J Vener Dis. 1976 Oct;52(5):326–328. doi: 10.1136/sti.52.5.326. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Catterall R. D. Diagnosis of vaginal discharge. Br J Vener Dis. 1970 Apr;46(2):122–124. doi: 10.1136/sti.46.2.122. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Chipperfield E. J., Catterall R. D. Reappraisal of Gram-staining and cultural techniques for the diagnosis of gonorrhoea in women. Br J Vener Dis. 1976 Feb;52(1):36–39. doi: 10.1136/sti.52.1.36. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Dans P. E., Judson F. The establishment of a venereal disease clinic: II. An appraisal of current diagnostic methods in uncomplicated urogenital and rectal gonorrhea. J Am Vener Dis Assoc. 1975 Mar;1(3):107–112. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Evans B. A. Detection of gonorrhoea in women. Br J Vener Dis. 1976 Feb;52(1):40–42. doi: 10.1136/sti.52.1.40. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Frisch A. W. Personal comments on the management of sexually transmitted diseases in Britain. J Am Vener Dis Assoc. 1975 Sep;2(1):23–27. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Percival A., Rowlands J., Corkill J. E., Alergant C. D., Arya O. P., Rees E., Annels E. H. Penicillinase-producing Gonococci in Liverpool. Lancet. 1976 Dec 25;2(8000):1379–1382. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(76)91919-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Phillips I. Beta-lactamase-producing, penicillin-resistant gonococcus. Lancet. 1976 Sep 25;2(7987):656–657. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(76)92466-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Reznichek R. C., Smartt W. H., Brosman S. A. Gonorrhea today: problems of diagnosis, management, treatment. Calif Med. 1971 Aug;115(2):32–37. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]