Testing for pharyngeal gonorrhoea in heterosexual men: should we revisit national guidelines?

Abstract

Pharyngeal testing for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonorrhoea) in heterosexual men is not currently recommended in UK guidelines; however, it was being undertaken in a service in the North East of England for those presenting with urethral infection or as contacts of gonorrhoea. This service evaluation was performed to see if this practice should continue, or cease in line with national recommendations. The results revealed that 10% of contacts were positive in the pharynx only. Had this test not been performed, it would have left these patients without any treatment, as the current guidelines now discourage epidemiological treatment of contacts. Twenty-seven per cent of all heterosexual men diagnosed with urethral infection also had oropharyngeal gonorrhoea, with implications for persistent infection, had testing not been performed followed by a test of cure.