Pharyngeal flora in a sexually active population

• Published in: International journal of STD & AIDS Vol. 6; no. 3; p. 211
• Main Authors: Russell, J M, Azadian, B S, Roberts, A P, Talboys, C A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.05.1995
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - administration & dosage; Carrier State; Female; Homosexuality, Female; Homosexuality, Male; Humans; Male; Neisseria meningitidis - isolation & purification; Pharynx - microbiology; Prospective Studies; Sexual Behavior; Streptococcus - isolation & purification; Yeasts - isolation & purification
• ISSN: 0956-4624
• DOI: 10.1177/095646249500600314

During a 7-week period 1141 patients attending the Genitourinary Clinic at Charing Cross Hospital completed a brief questionnaire and had pharyngeal swabs cultured for Neisseria spp, beta-haemolytic streptococci, corynebacterium and yeasts. The study included 397 heterosexual men, 492 heterosexual women, 189 homosexuals, 41 lesbians and 22 bisexual men and women. Four hundred and sixty patients (40%) admitted oro-genital contact in the preceding 2 weeks. The meningococcal carriage rate was 11.6%. Homosexuals had the highest carriage 23.8% and heterosexual females the lowest 5.9%. Significant differences in carriage rates were found between homosexual and heterosexual men (P < 0.0001), heterosexual men and women (P < 0.005) and between lesbian and heterosexual women (P < 0.025). Recent oro-anal contact significantly increased meningococcal isolation (P < 0.001). A significant association between beta-haemolytic streptococci and concomitant meningococcal carriage was also found (P < 0.01). Sexual orientation and oro-genital contact influences both meningococcal and pharyngeal yeast isolation and should be considered when interpreting pharyngeal culture results.