Gonococcal pharyngeal infections. Report of 110 cases

Abstract

Neisseria gonorrhoeae was cultured from the pharynx in 110 patients attending VD clinics or seen in private practice in Copenhagen. In Danish women, and in heterosexual and homosexual men suffering from gonorrhoea (1,152 patients) the incidencc was 10, 7, and 25 per cent. respectively. Isolated pharyngeal gonorrhoea was found in sixteen cases. The condition was usually asymptomatic, but febrile tonsillitis was noted in twelve patients and remote complications occurred in four. A relative high positivity-rate of the GCFT was found in cases of pharyngeal gonorrhoea. Most patients with pharyngeal gonococcal infections admitted oro-genital contact with the alleged source of infection. In a few cases the infection was apparently contracted by kissing. About 80 per cent. of both sexes admitted oro-genital practices, 35 per cent. at their last intercourse (1,203 interviewed). The risk of acquiring pharyngeal gonococcal infection by fellatio and cuniingus was 31 and 14 per cent. respectively. The unreliability of a single negative culture from the pharynx is emphasized. Pharyngeal gonorrhoea proved to be persistent and very recalcitrant to treatment.