Search

Neisseria meningitidis is an obligate human commensal bacterium that frequently colonises the upper respiratory tract. Person-to-person transmission occurs via direct contact or through dispersion of respiratory droplets from a carrier of the bacteria, and can lead to invasive meningococcal disease. Rare sporadic cases of meningococcal urogenital and anorectal infections, including urethritis, proctitis, and cervicitis, have been reported, typically following orogenital contact with an oropharyngeal meningococcal carrier. The resulting infections were clinically indistinguishable from infections caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Over the past two decades, there have also been multiple outbreaks across North America and Europe of invasive meningococcal disease among men who have sex with men (MSM). The responsible meningococci belong to a highly virulent and predominantly serogroup C lineage, including strains that are able to express nitrite reductase and grow in anaerobic environments, such as the urogenital and anorectal tracts. More recently, a distinct clade within this lineage has expanded to cause urethritis predominantly among men who have sex with women. Evolutionary events giving rise to this clade included the loss of the ability to express a capsule, and acquisition of several gonococcal alleles, including one allele encoding a highly efficient gonococcal nitrite reductase. Members of the clade continue to acquire gonococcal alleles, including one allele associated with decreased antibiotic susceptibility. This evolution has implications for the clinical and public health management of those who are infected and their close contacts, in terms of both antibiotic treatment, and prevention through vaccination., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Dietary methionine restriction (MR) has been found to enhance longevity across many species. We hypothesized that MR might enhance longevity in part by delaying or inhibiting age-related disease processes. To this end, male Fischer 344 rats were fed control (CF, 0.86% methionine) or MR (0.17% methionine) diets throughout their life until sacrifice at approximately 30 months of age, and histopathology was performed to identify the incidence and progression of two important aging-related pathologies, namely, chronic progressive nephropathy (CPN) and testicular tumorigenesis. Although kidney pathology was observed in 87% CF rats and CPN in 62% of CF animals, no evidence of kidney disease was observed in MR rats. Consistent with the absence of renal pathology, urinary albumin levels were lower in the MR group compared to controls throughout the study, with over a six-fold difference between the groups at 30 months of age. Biomarkers associated with renal disease, namely, clusterin, cystatin C, and β-2 microglobulin, were reduced following 18 months of MR. A reduction in testicular tumor incidence from 88% in CF to 22% in MR rats was also observed. These results suggest that MR may lead to metabolic and cellular changes providing protection against age-related diseases.

Background: The objective of this study was to examine the proportion of missed infections and correlates of pharyngeal gonorrhea among young people attending public sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics., Methods: We conducted a case-control study of 245 young men and women between April 2012 and May 2014. Participants were eligible for inclusion if they (1) were 15 to 29 years of age, (2) reported giving oral sex to a partner of the opposite sex in the past 90 days, and (3) attended 1 of 12 public STD clinics in Los Angeles County. Computer-assisted self-interviews were used to collect information on sexual behaviors and tests were conducted for pharyngeal and urogenital gonorrhea., Results: Most participants were younger than 25 years (69%) and more than half were female (56%). We identified a total of 64 cases (27%) of gonorrhea, of which 29 (45%) were a urogenital only infection, 18 (28%) were a pharyngeal only, and 17 (27%) were dually infected at both sites. Pharyngeal testing increased case finding by 39% from 46 to 64 cases. After adjusting for age, sex, and number of sex partners, those who reported consistent pharyngeal exposure to ejaculate/vaginal fluids were 3 times as likely to have pharyngeal gonorrhea as compared with those without this exposure (adjusted odds ratio, 3.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-7.5)., Conclusions: A large proportion of gonorrhea cases among young people would be missed in the absence of pharyngeal testing. These results have implications for those who provide medical care to clients at STD clinics and highlight the need for pharyngeal screening recommendations and counseling messages related to strategies to reduce exposure to infected fluids.

Radiation therapy is a treatment modality that is often used in the uro-oncological setting. The common indication for the radiation therapy in the urological sphere is prostate cancer, whether it is used primarily as a radical approach, or postoperatively as adjuvant or salvage therapy. All urological organs are sensitive to radiation injury with the urinary bladder being the most susceptible with a typical cascade including acute and late changes, arising in the dose-dependent manner. The common indication for radiation therapy in urology is prostate cancer, which collaterally affects the urinary bladder and rarely urethra (especially the bulbo-membranous urethra). Ureteral damage and stricture formation is almost always restricted to the cases of intraoperative therapy and external beam radiation therapy for other urological malignancies (gynecological organs, rectum, retroperitoneal soft tissue tumors) and should not be underestimated. Postradiotherapeutic tissue changes, especially of the prostate, can cause difficulties for pathologists and urologists with regard to diagnosis of prostate cancer recurrence and salvage therapy.

The arterial ligation during elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for diverticular disease can affect genito-urinary function injuring the superior hypogastric plexus, and can weaken the distal colonic stump arterial perfusion. Ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery distal to the left colic artery or the complete preservation of the inferior mesenteric artery can therefore be compared in terms of preservation of the descending sympathetic fibres running along the aorta to the rectum resulting in a different post operative genito urinary function. From January 2015 to March 2016, 66 patients underwent elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for diverticular disease among two enrolling hospitals. In one centre 35 patients underwent laparoscopic sigmoidectomy with the ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery distal to the left colic artery (low ligation). In the other centre 31 patient were operated on the same procedure with complete inferior mesenteric artery preservation (IMA preservation). There was no difference in terms of major complication occurred, first passage of stool and length of hospital stay between the two groups. Time of surgery was significantly shorter in LL group compared to IMA preserving group and intra operative blood loss was significantly lower in the LL group. There were no differences in the genito urinary function between the two group pre operatively, at 1 and 9 months post operatively. Genito urinary function did not significantly change across surgery in each groups. The low ligation and the IMA preserving vascular approach are safe end feasible techniques in elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for diverticular disease. They both prevent from genito-urinary post-operative disfunction and allow good post operative quality of life. The low ligation approach is related to shorter operative time and slower intra operative blood loss., (Celsius.)

The aim of this study was to assess Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection prevalence and serovar distribution in a high-density urban area in the north of Italy, by comparing different groups of subjects divided on the basis of the type of care provider they referred to (STI Clinic, gynaecologists or general practitioners). From January 2011 to May 2014, all the specimens submitted to the Microbiology Laboratory of St Orsola Hospital in Bologna for CT detection were tested by PCR assay. For positive specimens, molecular genotyping based on RFLP analysis was performed. Total prevalence of CT infection was 8.1 %, with significant differences between subgroups (P<0.01) but stable during the study period. The STI Clinic was mainly responsible for CT diagnosis, whereas the lowest infection prevalence was detected in gynaecological clinics, despite the high number of tests performed. Extra-genital samples were almost exclusively collected from males at the STI Clinic. Interestingly, 13.3 % of patients providing extra-genital specimens were positive for CT on rectal and/or pharyngeal swabs, and 4.4 % of cases would have been missed if extra-genital sites had not been tested. The most common serovar was E, and serovar distribution was influenced by gender (P<0.01), age (P<0.01), care provider (P=0.01) and anatomical site (P<0.01). The L2 serovar was detected only in extra-genital samples from males at the STI Clinic. Knowledge about care providers' contributions in CT testing and diagnosis is essential for infection control. CT typing is crucial for appropriate management of specific infections, such as lymphogranuloma venereum in extra-genital samples of high-risk populations.

The late-onset hypogonadism is defined as a reduction of blood testosterone values in aging males in combination with sexual symptoms. A hormone substitution is only necessary if desired by the patient. Erectile dysfunction is often caused by vasculopathy. Therefore, vascular risk factors should be evaluated. In case of cardiovascular disease a cardiologist should be addressed before initiating treatment. First line therapy consists of phosphodiesterase inhibitors. In lower urinary tract symptoms prostatic enlargement is the likely cause, but other causes have to be ruled out. Symptomatic therapy can be initiated if the patient is bothered. If voiding symptoms are predominant, alpha blockers or alpha reductase inhibitors are the treatment of choice. In case of storage symptoms, treatment can be started with muscarin receptor antagonists.

Background: We report the clinical results and prognostic factors of image-guided radiation therapy (RT) with helical tomotherapy (HT) for localized and recurrent prostate cancer (PC)., Patients and Methods: We evaluated 70 patients with PC (primary diagnosis, n = 48; adjuvant, n = 5; salvage, n = 17) treated with HT from May 2006 through January 2011. The dose prescribed to the prostate/surgical bed ranged between 60 and 78 Gy. Potential risk factors for genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity were assessed., Results: The median age was 68 years (range 51-87 years). The median follow-up was 37 months (range 3-74 months). The rates of acute grade 2 GI and GU toxicities were 10 and 13%, respectively. Only 1 patient experienced acute grade 3 GU toxicity. The rates of late grade ≥ 2 GI and GU toxicities were 1% each. Multivariate analysis showed an association between rectum mean dose > median (39 Gy) and bladder median dose > median (46 Gy) with a higher grade of acute GI (p = 0.017) and GU (p = 0.019) toxicity, respectively. Additionally, older age was associated with late GU toxicity (p = 0.026)., Conclusion: Toxicity with HT is low and is associated with higher median/mean doses in organs at risk as well as with older age. A prospective validation would be necessary to confirm these results., (© 2014 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg.)

Background: To assess treatment tolerance by patients treated with a dose-adapted salvage radiotherapy (SRT) protocol based on an multiparametric endorectal magnetic resonance imaging (erMRI) failure definition model after radical prostatectomy (RP)., Material and Methods: A total of 171 prostate cancer patients recurring after RP undergoing erMRI before SRT were analyzed. A median dose of 64 Gy was delivered to the prostatic bed (PB) with, in addition, a boost of 10 Gy to the suspected relapse as visualized on erMRI in 131 patients (76.6%). Genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities were scored using the RTOG scale., Results: Grade ≥ 3 GU and GI acute toxicity were observed in three and zero patients, respectively. The four-year grade ≥ 2 and ≥ 3 late GU and GI toxicity-free survival rates (109 patients with at least two years of follow-up) were 83.9 ± 4.7% and 87.1 ± 4.2%, and 92.1 ± 3.6% and 97.5 ± 1.7%, respectively. Boost (p = 0.048) and grade ≥ 2 acute GU toxicity (p = 0.008) were independently correlated with grade ≥ 2 late GU toxicity on multivariate analysis., Conclusions: A dose-adapted, erMRI-based SRT approach treating the PB with a boost to the suspected local recurrence may potentially improve the therapeutic ratio by selecting patients that are most likely expected to benefit from SRT doses above 70 Gy as well as by reducing the size of the highest-dose target volume. Further prospective trials are needed to investigate the use of erMRI in SRT as well as the role of dose-adapted protocols and the best fractionation schedule.

Background: Treatment-related toxicity and quality of life (QoL) considerations are important when counseling patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa)., Objective: To determine the incidence and longitudinal pattern of late genitourinary (GU) toxicity and QoL after high-dose, intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)., Design, Setting, and Participants: A total of 268 patients with localized PCa were treated between June 2004 and December 2008 at a tertiary referral center. Median follow-up was 5 yr (range: 3-7.7 yr)., Intervention: Patients underwent IMRT to a total dose of 86.4Gy; 50% of patients underwent neoadjuvant and concurrent androgen-deprivation therapy., Outcome Measurements and Statistical Analysis: Patients were evaluated with the prospectively obtained International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire. GU toxicity was also scored using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v.4.0; toxicity events were defined as increase over baseline. Differences in increases in IPSS sums and QoL index between baseline IPSS sum and QoL index groups were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were applied., Results and Limitations: The overall median IPSS sum increase during follow-up was 3 and was less pronounced among patients with severe baseline symptoms compared with those with mild baseline symptoms (median increase: 0 vs 4; p<0.0001). Overall QoL index was unchanged after IMRT but appeared to improve in patients with dissatisfied baseline QoL compared with satisfied baseline QoL (p<0.0001). Fifty-five (20%) and 2 (1%) patients developed grade 2 and 3 late GU toxicities, respectively; however, in 28 of 57 patients (49%), toxicity resolved during follow-up. Even though the IPSS data were prospectively obtained, most patients were not treated within a prospective protocol., Conclusions: Late GU toxicity after high-dose IMRT was mild; severe, late GU toxicity was rare. Changes in IPSS sum and QoL index were dependent on the baseline GU function, which might be useful for future patient counseling., (Copyright © 2013 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The present study is trying to produce a transdermal microemulsion drug delivery system (TMDDS) for Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook f. (TWHF) and attempting to solve male reproductive toxicity problem of TWHF. The formulation was optimized by the central composite design with response surface methodology and was decided as 12% oleic acid, 19.7% Labrasol S, 19.7% ethanol and 19.7% Pharmasolve, and 29% water. TMDDS for TWHF had stronger transdermal ability than free TWHF, and TWHF microemulsion significantly inhibited the adjuvant-induced arthritis and at the same time, had preferable anti-inflammatory effect with the long-time administration. Various pharmacodynamics parameters proved that TWHF microemulsion can reduce the male reproductive toxicity and hepatotoxicity of rats. All these suggested that TMDDS could be a suitable delivery system for TWHF., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To assess the incidence of genitourinary infections associated with transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUS-BX) using endorectal povidone-iodine gel as a bactericidal agent., Methods: We prospectively studied a total of 530 patients who were given 30g of 10% povidone-iodine intrarectally before TRUS-BX. Each patient received antibiotic prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin, starting the previous day (1g/day x 3 days), as well as cleansing enemas., Results: One patient (0.20%) presented with an E. coli acute bacterial epididymitis after biopsy., Conclusions: In our study, the intrarectal use of 10% povidone-iodine gel in TRUS-BX is associated with a much lower rate of infectious complications compared to those described in recent literature.

Background: With salvage radiation therapy (SRT) in the postprostatectomy setting, the need to deliver sufficient radiation doses to achieve a high probability of tumor control is balanced with the risk of increased toxicity. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in the postprostatectomy salvage setting is gaining interest as a treatment strategy., Objective: Compare acute and late toxicities in patients treated with IMRT and three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) in the postprostatectomy salvage setting., Design, Setting, and Participants: A total of 285 patients who were treated at our institution between 1988 and 2007 with SRT after radical prostatectomy for biochemical recurrence were identified. All medical records were reviewed and toxicity recorded. Median follow-up was 60 mo., Intervention: All patients were treated with SRT with either 3D-CRT (n=109) or IMRT (n=176). A total of 205 patients (72%) were treated with doses ≥70Gy., Measurements: Late gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicities were recorded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v. 3.0 definition., Results and Limitations: The 5-yr actuarial rates of late grade ≥2 GI and GU toxicity were 5.2% and 17.0%, respectively. IMRT was independently associated with a reduction in grade ≥2 GI toxicity compared with 3D-CRT (5-yr IMRT, 1.9%; 5-yr 3D-CRT, 10.2%; p=0.02). IMRT was not associated with a reduction in risk of grade ≥2 GU toxicity (5-yr IMRT, 16.8%; 5-yr 3D-CRT, 15.8%; p=0.86), urinary incontinence (5-yr IMRT, 13.6%; 5-yr 3D-CRT, 7.9%; p=0.25), or grade 3 erectile dysfunction (5-yr IMRT, 26%; 5-yr 3D-CRT, 30%; p=0.82). Of patients who developed late grade ≥2 GI or GU toxicity, 38% and 44%, respectively, experienced resolution of their symptoms prior to the last follow-up., Conclusions: Our experience with high-dose IMRT in the postprostatectomy salvage setting demonstrates that the treatment can be delivered safely with an associated reduction in late GI toxicity., (Copyright © 2011 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To assess toxicity outcomes of image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IG-IMRT) combined with permanent prostate seed implant in a cohort of patients with localized prostate cancer., Methods and Materials: A retrospective analysis was performed on 67 patients with the median pretreatment prostate-specific antigen level of 5.4. The Gleason score was less than 7 in 7 patients, 7 in 52 patients, and greater than 7 in 8 patients. The median followup was 28.2 months (range, 12-89.5 months). Treatment consisted of 45 (n=65) or 50.4 Gy (n=2) at 1.8 Gy/fraction of IG-IMRT to the prostate and seminal vesicles. Eight patients had simultaneous irradiation of pelvic lymph nodes to 45 (n=65) or 50.4 Gy (n=2). After IG-IMRT, patients received transperineal prostate implant boost with either (103)Pd (n=65, the prescribed D(90) of 100 Gy) or (125)I (n=2, D(90) of 110 Gy). Eleven patients received androgen deprivation therapy with radiotherapy., Results: Toxicity higher than Grade 3 was not observed. The combined incidence of acute and late Grade 3 genitourinary toxicity was 6%. The combined incidence of acute and late Grade 3 gastrointestinal toxicity was 3%. At least one episode of gastrointestinal bleeding on followup, which could be attributed to radiation, was recorded in 14.9% of patients. For patients achieving erections before radiation, the 3-year Kaplan-Meier potency preservation rate was 66.5%., Conclusions: The early toxicity of the combination of IG-IMRT and low-dose rate brachytherapy boost in this study was favorable., (Copyright © 2011 American Brachytherapy Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men may be related to micronutrients involved in prevention of oxidative damage or cell growth and differentiation. We tested the hypothesis that carotenoid, vitamin A, and vitamin C intake were inversely associated with total LUTS, voiding, and storage symptoms. We conducted a cross-sectional multivariate analysis of 1466 men aged 30-79 y in the Boston Area Community Health survey (2002-2005), a population-based random sample survey. Data were collected by in-person interview and validated FFQ. Moderate-to-severe LUTS were defined using the American Urological Symptom Index and analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Overall, men consuming greater dietary lycopene, β-carotene, total carotenoid, or vitamin A had ~40-50% decreased odds of LUTS compared with the lowest intake quartiles (e.g. β-carotene and storage symptoms, OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.39, 0.82; P-trend = 0.02). Interactions were observed between dietary iron and vitamin C or β-cryptoxanthin, whereby inverse associations with LUTS, particularly voiding symptoms, occurred only among men with moderate-to-high iron intake (P-interaction = 0.001). High-dose supplemental and total vitamin C were positively associated with LUTS (e.g. supplemental vitamin C ≥ 250 mg/d, OR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.21, 2.77; P-trend = 0.02). An interaction between β-carotene and smoking status (P-interaction = 0.004) indicated greater odds of LUTS with higher β-carotene intake among current smokers. Results suggest that modifying consumption of carotenoids and vitamin C may influence LUTS in men.

There was a wide range of activity and chlamydial diagnoses between the 177 clinics that responded. Most (92%) clinics have nucleic acid tests for chlamydial diagnosis. Different practitioners largely share roles in providing advice to patients about partner notification, treatment adherence, safer sex advice and abstinence. Most (97%) clinics have information leaflets about chlamydia, although about 30% of clinics lack leaflets containing information about antibiotics and hormonal contraception. About two-third clinics follow the National Guideline recommended interval for providing a test of cure where this is indicated. Only 18% of clinics routinely ask patients to reattend, with 40% having a policy of no routine follow-up and 62% using telephone or text follow-up. These categories were not mutually exclusive. Most (86%) of the 146 English clinics had a local Chlamydia Screening Programme coordinator for their Primary Care Trust area, although cooperation varies, with cooperation over treatment of 70% and Programme policy of 62%.

Verbal information-giving is good, but only half of cases were reportedly given written information on chlamydia. Follow-up by 'phoning or texting (43%) was as common as follow-up in clinics (39%). About one-fourth of cases did not have follow up, with no recall for around 60% of these cases. Advice about partner notification (PN) was provided by a health adviser or other suitably trained health professional to 91% of cases, and the method of PN was documented for 92% of these cases. PN outcome was not documented for about 25% of these cases. There was no information on the chlamydial status of sexual contacts of about half of cases, and no information about the treatment status of sexual contacts of about 40% of cases. The average number of contacts screened per index was 0.52 outside London and 0.29 for the London Regions, levels below those suggested in the National Guideline.

This article discusses infective and malignant complications of HIV affecting the genitourinary tract in men. Immunosuppression increases both the frequency of infections, and the range of organisms that may be involved. Cancers are common and presentations may be atypical.

In 2004, the Newcastle genitourinary medicine clinic launched a new website. To assess its value to users and impact on service demand, we surveyed those attending the clinic with a new episode between September and December 2005 by a questionnaire. One hundred and fifteen of 601 respondents (19%) visited the website. Fifty-nine percent of users were men with those aged between 35 and 44 ranking the highest percentage (31.7%) among those who visited the website. Fourteen (12.5%) would not have attended if they had not visited the website. One hundred and two (88.7%) found it easy to use and 81 (70.4%) looked for specific information of whom 73 (89%) were successful. Web users were more likely to present with an episode not requiring treatment possibly indicating increased demand promoted by our prevention information but less likely to have bacterial vaginosis, anaerobic balanitis and anogenital candidosis (not statistically significant).

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of population-based outreach strategies to improve genital Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) screening in men., Study Design: In a randomized trial, male enrollees ages 21-25 (n = 8820) were selected from the automated files of Group Health Cooperative and randomized to: a letter + test-request card for a CT urine home sampling kit (arm 1, n = 2940); a letter + mail-back sampling kit (arm 2, n = 2940); or a usual care control (arm 3, n = 2940). One reminder was sent to arms 1 and 2. The outcome was CT testing rates in the 4 months postrandomization., Results: 105 of 2940 (3.6%) men in arm 1 and 230 of 2940 (7.8%) in arm 2 returned mailed specimens. All 335 respondents were sexually experienced, 43% had >2 sex partners in the past year, and 80% reported no genitourinary symptoms. Compared to arm 3, the relative risk of being tested was 5.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.6-8.7) for arm 1 and 11.1 (95% CI 7.3-16.9) for arm 2. Arm 2 was significantly more likely to be tested than arm 1. CT prevalence for mailed-back specimens was 1.0% (1 of 105) for arm 1 and 2.6% (6 of 230) for arm 2; 70% of all positive intervention tests were from mailed samples., Conclusions: Both strategies resulted in significantly higher CT testing than usual care, but the intervention response rate was low (5.7% overall). Direct kit mailing performed best. In US populations, the value of mailed outreach strategies to men must be considered in the context of other CT screening priorities.

Objectives: STI prevention interventions often aim to reduce HIV incidence. Understanding STI risks may lead to more effective HIV prevention., Goal: To identify STI risks among men aged 18-24 in Kisumu, Kenya., Study Design: We analyzed baseline data from a randomized trial of male circumcision. Participants were interviewed for sociodemographic and behavioral risks. Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) were diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction assay and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) by culture. The outcome for logistic regression analysis was infection with NG, CT, or TV., Results: Among 2743 men, 214 (7.8%; 95% CI: 6.8%-8.8%) were infected with any STI. In multivariable analysis, statistically significant risks for infection were: living one's whole life in Kisumu (OR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.12-2.01), preferring "dry" sex (OR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.05-2.07), HSV-2 seropositivity (OR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.01-1.86), and inability to ejaculate during sex (OR = 2.04; 95% CI: 1.15-3.62). Risk decreased with increasing age and education, and cleaning one's penis less than 1 hour after sex (OR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.33-0.80)., Conclusion: Understanding how postcoital cleaning, "dry" sex, and sexual dysfunction relate to STI acquisition may improve STI and HIV prevention.

Objective: The study objective was to assess Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) prevalence, risk factors, and genitourinary symptoms among young men., Methods: Sexually active men 18 to 30 years old were recruited during April through October 2005 at the student health services and through field work at university campuses in 2 Norwegian cities. A total of 1,032 participants completed a questionnaire on sexual behavior and provided first-void urine for CT testing., Results: The overall CT prevalence was 7.8% (81 of 1,032). In multivariable analysis, >or=5 lifetime sexual partners (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4-5.2), a burning sensation on urination (aOR: 5.7, 95% CI: 3.1-10.5), and penile discharge (aOR: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.1-6.3) were significant risk factors for a positive CT test, whereas condom use (last intercourse) was preventive (aOR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.8)., Conclusions: A CT prevalence of 7.8% was found among male students. Promotion of increased testing among men is important to prevent CT transmission.

The incidence of diabetes continues to increase dramatically; this incidence is predominantly of the type-2 form which clusters together with other comorbidities of hypertension and lipid abnormalities, to form the metabolic syndrome. These conditions will have an increasing impact on urological practice, with erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, voiding difficulties and urinary tract infections all more common in these patients. These symptoms might be the initial presentation of previously undiagnosed diabetes and it is important to recognise this condition early to avoid later complications including end-stage renal failure.

Twenty mock cases were designed. Thirty-two doctors completed the study, assigning local and KC60 codes for service provision and diagnoses. They gave a wide range of responses, often missing codes or adding inappropriate ones. Where the diagnosis was clear, e.g. gonorrhoea, 97% assigned the correct KC60 code. However, the KC60 codes for service provision (S1, S2, P1A, P3, etc.) were frequently omitted, representing a significant underestimate of workload. Some local codes were given by only 6-28% of clinicians, and when they included them, doctors were more likely to omit KC60 codes. Low response rates for local codes renders these codes unhelpful. Simplification of coding procedures is needed so that diagnoses and workload are documented accurately. This is crucial at a time of modernization of genitourinary (GU) Medicine services and the introduction of Payment by Results.

An audit of HIV-infected and -uninfected men attending two clinics at an inner London treatment centre demonstrated an alarming lack of awareness of post-exposure prophylaxis following sexual exposure (PEPSE). This audit suggests that strategies for increasing awareness of PEPSE among 'at risk' men are urgently needed.

An accelerated course of hepatitis B vaccination was offered to men who had sex with men attending a genitourinary medicine clinic. The uptake and completion rates of the vaccine between 1 November 2002 and 28 February 2004 were compared with data for 1994. The uptake of vaccine was significantly higher during the former audit period than the latter (310 [98%] of 315 versus 146 [74%]). There was, however, no significant difference in completion rates between the two audit periods: 220 (73%) of the 302 men who initiated the accelerated schedule, compared with 118 (81%) of the 146 men who completed the standard course in 1994. Innovative means of ensuring completion of vaccination are needed.

The retrospective analysis of group of 164 men from sterile couples was made. Authors compared spermiograms with bacteriological investigations' results (sperm bacteriology and blots from urethra for present of Chlamydia, Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma). The statistical signification of coincidence of leucospermia and one-species bacterial infection and dependence between leucospermia and pathological spermiogram were found. The positive results of sperm bacteriological investigations were found in normospermic patients too.

In the context of a prospective, randomized, controlled double-blind study concerning a reduction of postoperative, urogenital affections after laparoscopic hernia repair using a polypropylene mesh, laparoscopic polypropylene implantation was performed in 40 male patients. Twenty patients received a heavyweight, rigid polypropylene mesh (group A) and the remainder a heavyweight, but softer polypropylene mesh (group B). Questionnaires were used to assess the severity of pain, impairment of sexual life, appearance of urogenital affections, and general condition. On the 3rd postoperative day, testicle blood circulation and testicle volumes were documented by ultrasound, and a congestion of the plexus pampiniformis was excluded by ultrasound with 5 MHz. Starting in the 1st postoperative week, a prevalence of affections such as testicular sensitivity to touch, pain upon ejaculation, and a pulling sensation during urination became apparent in group A. In the 12th postoperative week, 20% in group A still described testicular sensitivity to touch and 10% pain upon ejaculation and a pulling sensation during urination but only 5% in group B. It is essential to reduce urogenital affections after laparoscopic hernia repair by strict indications and appropriately adapted polypropylene meshes.

Experimental verification of prostatilen prophylactics of changes in the urogenital organs consequent to g-loads was the idea of the work. The experiment was performed with 37 mongrel white male rats weighing 200-250 g who were exposed to the head-pelvis g-loads (+Gl) at 10 units. Behavior reactions of the rats were assessed with the "open field" technique immediately after centrifugation; weighing coefficients of the urogenital organs (the organ/body mass relation) were determined, and histological and morphometric analyses of prostate, testis and kidney were made. A significant moderating effect of prophylactic prostatilen on the stress-reactions in animals was first revealed; prostatilen was also found to speed up adaptation. This was concluded from normalization of the hemodynamics, a decrease in venous plethora and epithelial dystrophy, absence of basophilia in conjunctive tissue of the urogenital organs. Distention and overfilling of acini by secret and the number of epithelial acinus hulled into the lumen were markedly less in prostate. Spermatogenesis in testis was normalized, too. The histological profile of kidney approached the norm. Results of the experiment showed that prostatilen is a promising preparation from the standpoint of moderation of stress-reactions and counteraction of disorders in the urogenital organs caused by g-loads.

Efficacy and safety of unasyn, a combination of sulbactam and ampicillin, was studied in the treatment of 66 patients with infections of the urogenital organs. The drug was administered intramuscularly, intravenously and orally. The treatment course averaged 7-14 days. The dose of the drug for the intravenous and intramuscular administration was 1.5-3 g 4 times a day and that for the oral administration was 0.75 g 2 times a day. The strains of gram-positive cocci, Escherichia coli and Proteus spp. proved to be highly sensitive to the drug: 80-83, 43 and 53 per cent of the sensitive strains respectively. 25-75 per cent of the strains showed beta-lactamase activity that was most frequently detected in Proteus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. The maximum concentrations of ampicillin and sulbactam determined by liquid chromatography were respectively 18 +/- 5.7 and 11 +/- 2.42 micrograms/ml in the blood and 700 and 350 micrograms/ml in the urine. A satisfactory bacteriological effect of the treatment was observed in 93 per cent of the cases. A complete elimination of the initial pathogens was stated in 57-73 per cent of the cases. No side effects were recorded.