Neisseria meningitidis in the anal canal of homosexual men

J Infect Dis. 1977 Dec;136(6):810-2. doi: 10.1093/infdis/136.6.810.

Abstract

Cultures were obtained from the oropharynx, urethra, and anal canal of 157 homosexual men. Neisseria gonorrhoeae was identified in 30 men (19.1%), Neisseria meningitidis in 32 men (20.4%), and Neisseria lactamicus and Branhamella catarrhalis in one man each. N. gonorrhoeae was isolated from the anal canal of three men (1.9%), and N. meninititidis was identified in the anal canal of seven men (4.5%). These findings suggest that confirmatory tests are indicated for homosexual males with rectal isolates presumptively identified as N. gonorrhoeae.

MeSH terms

  • Anal Canal / microbiology*
  • Homosexuality*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / isolation & purification
  • Neisseria meningitidis / isolation & purification*
  • Pharynx / microbiology
  • Urethra / microbiology