Introduction: Our local area has the UK’s highest prevalence of gonorrhea. Pharyngeal infection is commonly asymptomatic, thereby acting as a reservoir of undiagnosed infection. Development of antimicrobial resistance continues to be a challenge to preserving sensitivity to current first-line treatment. 

Aim: To assess the management of pharyngeal gonorrhoea at an inner city sexual health centre with reference to BASHH 2011 guidelines.

Methods: All cases of positive pharyngeal NAATs dating from 1st July 2014, to 1st August 2016, were identified from the clinical records portal and a case-note review completed. 

Results: 219 cases were included in the final data analysis - median age 33 (range 19-58). 131/219 (60%) lone pharyngeal gonorrhoea cases were identified. 199/204 (98%) were MSM. 89/131 (67%) pharyngeal cultures were obtained: (16%) positive for Neisseria gonorrhoea - 9/15 demonstrated some antimicrobial resistance. Only 8/131 (6%) had a sore throat documented at screening. 205/219 (94%) received treatments in clinic (14 patients lost to follow up). Of those treated 113/205 (55%) received a test of cure with 100% negative NAATs. All patients receiving 2nd line treatments were clinically justified. 1 patient was diagnosed HIV+ within 6 months of pharyngeal gonorrhoea treatment.

Discussion: The majority of infections were asymptomatic (94%) demonstrating validity of on-going triple site screening. The low sensitivity of positive pharyngeal N.gonorrhoea cultures (16%) reinforces importance of pharyngeal NAATs for detection of infection and review of culture sampling techniques. A low rate of TOC reflected the difficulties in completing patient follow up seen in our clinic population

Pharyngeal GC: Maintaining Standards in Managing a Silent Infection

The Joint Annual Conference of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV & the Society for the Study of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Ireland