Isolation of Neisseria meiningitidis from the urethra, cervix, and anal canal: Further observations

Abstract

Neisseria meningitidis was recovered from the urethra of 9 and from the anal canal of 7 men, and from the cervix of 2 women. Twelve of the 16 men were admitted homosexuals. Seven men had no symptoms, while the remainder had mild to moderate symptoms. One woman was asymptomatic and the other was in hospital with acute salpingitis. Reports of previous isolations of meningococci from the urethra, cervix, or anal canal are reviewed. It is concluded that in men, these infections are usually mild and self limited, but in women, meningococcal genital infections frequently proceed to severe disease.