Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39093382›Full record

ArticleInfection2025

Pharyngeal gonococcal infection and the sensitivity of oral gargle samples in comparison to self-collected throat swabs for the detection of N. gonorrhoeae in persons in Tyrol, Austria.

Maria Kitchen, Wegene Tamire Borena, Martin Gisinger, Eva Meindl, Marina Wanner, Miriam Alisa Govrins, Mario Sarcletti

Abstract readComparative Study
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In one paragraph

Article in Infection, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Maria KitchenKlinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria. maria.kitchen@gmx.at.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1391-0532
Wegene Tamire BorenaInstitut für Virologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Austria, Innsbruck.
Martin GisingerKlinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
Eva MeindlKlinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
Marina WannerKlinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
Miriam Alisa GovrinsInstitut für Hygiene und Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Mario SarclettiKlinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeAsymptomatic pharyngeal gonorrhoea could play an important role in transmission and should be screened for in persons at risk. We investigated the sensitivity of oral gargle samples to detect N. gonorrhoea and describe the frequency of infection by anatomical site.

methodsFrom June 2021 to July 2022 persons diagnosed with gonorrhoea in the STI/HIV department were asked to provide self-collected specimens for single-site testing by NAAT from throat (by gargling and swabbing), anorectum, and first-void urine.

results104 episodes of gonorrhoea were analysed in 88 individuals. The median age was 33 years, 85 persons (96.5%) were male. The pharynx was the most common site of infection (71 cases, 68.2%); in 26 persons (25.0%) it was the only site of infection. Anorectal infection was detected in 65 cases (62.5%) and urogenital infection in 25 cases (24.0%). In 46 cases (44.2%) infection was detected in more than one anatomical site. Gargling was less sensitive than throat swabbing to detect pharyngeal infection (85.9% versus 97.2%, p = .038), but was preferred by patients. Only 4 of 71 pharyngeal infections (5.6%) were symptomatic; anorectal and urogenital infections were symptomatic in 12.3% and 76.0% of cases, respectively. Culture recovery of N.gonorrhoeae was only possible in 15.8% of throat swabs, but was successful in 61.9% of anorectal and 84.2% of urogenital samples.

conclusionsAsymptomatic pharyngeal gonorrhoea is common. Gargle samples should be used only as alternative specimens with inferior sensitivity compared to throat swab samples.

Indexed as

GonorrheaNeisseria gonorrhoeaePharyngeal DiseasesPharynxSpecimen HandlingAdolescentAdultAustriaFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSensitivity and SpecificityYoung AdultGargle sampleGonorrhoeaMSMPharynxSTI screening

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