Prevalence of urethral pathogens and HIV co-infection among men presenting with urethral discharge
Keywords:
Sexually transmitted infection, Urethral discharge syndromeAbstract
Background: Sexually transmitted infections are major public health challenges currently, due to the high frequency of infections accompanied by a declining of treatment options. Especially in developing nations, the spread of STIs/HIV infection continues to affect millions of young and productive population. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of STI agents among male patients presenting with urethral discharge syndrome.
Methods: An institutional based cross sectional study was conducted at health centers in Addis Ababa from August 2013-August 2014.Urethral discharge specimens were cultured on Modified Thayer Marthin media and suspected gonococcal colonies were confirmed using Oxidase, Superoxol tests followed by API-NHR. In addition, urine samples were tested against STI agents (Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trchomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma genitalum) by Real Time PCR. Serologic Syphilis testing was done using standard tests. HIV test was done by rapid test (KHBR, StatpackR and UnigoldR) at the spot.
Results: Five hundred ninety nine urethral discharge specimens were collected and out of these 415 were microbiology culture positive for gonococcus. The Real Time PCR result showed that 321(53.6%), 79(13.2%), 40(6.7%) and 21(3.5%) were found to be positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma genitalium respectively. Out of the 274 patients who got tested for HIV, 19 of them (7%) were found to be HIV positive. The prevalence of syphilis was 1.5% (9/599).
Conclusion: There is a higher burden of urethral discharge syndrome and HIV co-infection among the young men with risky behavior. Gonococcal infection is the leading urethral discharge syndrome followed by chlamydial infection.
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