Journal article
Management of Urethritis: Is It Still the Time for Empirical Antibiotic Treatments?
- Bartoletti R Department of Translational Research and New Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: riccardo.bartoletti@hotmail.com.
- Wagenlehner FME Clinic und Polyclinic for Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
- Bjerklund Johansen TE Dept. of Urology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
- Köves B Department of Urology, South-Pest Teaching Hospital, Budapest, Hungary.
- Cai T Department of Urology, Santa Chiara Regional Hospital, Trento, Italy.
- Tandogdu Z Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
- Bonkat G Alta Uro AG, Merian Iselin Klinik, Center of Biomechanics & Calorimetry (COB), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- 2018-10-16
Published in:
- European urology focus. - 2019
Empirical treatment
Gonococcal urethritis
Nongonococcal urethritis
Nucleic acid amplification test
Urethral inflammation
Urethritis
Africa, Northern
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Azithromycin
Ceftriaxone
Chlamydia Infections
Chlamydia trachomatis
Condoms
Drug Therapy, Combination
Europe
Female
Gonorrhea
Humans
Male
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Urethritis
English
CONTEXT
Urethritis prevalence in Europe changed in the last years due to both the increase of migratory streams from North Africa and the more frequent exposition of males to relevant risk factors. Owing to these reasons, urethritis treatment should be optimized by accurate microbiological investigations to avoid the risk of persistence, recurrence, or reinfection.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this systematic review is to optimize the treatments for urethritis and investigate the applicability of nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) as the primary microbiological investigation.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
A literature search in Medline, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases was conducted up to June 2018. Subject headings were selected as follows: Urethritis OR gonococcal urethritis OR non-gonococcal urethritis AND Antibiotics OR Recurrence. A total of 528 abstracts were identified and selected. Finally, 12 full-text articles were selected for a qualitative synthesis. The Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement was used to perform an accurate research checklist and report.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
Empirical treatments are no more recommended, although a broad spectrum of antibiotic therapy may be initiated while awaiting the results from pathogens' microbiological characterization. First-line treatment for gonococcal urethritis consists of a single dose of ceftriaxone/azithromycin combined therapy. Specific therapies should be initiated for nongonococcal urethritis according to each single pathogen involved in the infection process. Owing to this reason, NAAT is mandatory in the clinical approach to the disease, although the Gram stain of urethral discharge or smear remains applicable for some less frequent nongonococcal urethritis. Moreover, the urethritis "modern view" also includes noninfectious etiologies that occurred after traumas or injection of irritating compounds. Sexual abstinence of at least 7 d should be observed from the start of treatment to avoid reinfection, while sexual partners should evenly be treated.
CONCLUSIONS
The treatment of urethritis implies accurate determination of pathogens involved in the infection process by NAAT with subsequent appropriate antibiotic therapy, thus avoiding the risk of antibiotic resistance and overuse of antibiotics indicated for empirical treatments. The population exposed to relevant risk factors should be adequately informed about the increased risk of developing infections and motivated toward the intensive use of condoms during sexual intercourses.
PATIENT SUMMARY
Urethritis is a sexually transmitted disease generally characterized by urethral discharge or other symptoms such as itching, tingling, and apparent difficulties in having a regular urinary flow. Microbiological investigations are mandatory to obtain satisfactory results from the treatment. Multiple antibiotic treatments are often necessary due to the high risk of multiple pathogens responsible for the disease. Similarly, sexual partners should be investigated and treated in the same way. Several risk factors such as immunodeficiency, multiple sexual partners, homo- and bisexuality, and alcohol abuse may be related to the disease. In these cases, the use of condom is strongly recommended.
Urethritis prevalence in Europe changed in the last years due to both the increase of migratory streams from North Africa and the more frequent exposition of males to relevant risk factors. Owing to these reasons, urethritis treatment should be optimized by accurate microbiological investigations to avoid the risk of persistence, recurrence, or reinfection.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this systematic review is to optimize the treatments for urethritis and investigate the applicability of nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) as the primary microbiological investigation.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
A literature search in Medline, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases was conducted up to June 2018. Subject headings were selected as follows: Urethritis OR gonococcal urethritis OR non-gonococcal urethritis AND Antibiotics OR Recurrence. A total of 528 abstracts were identified and selected. Finally, 12 full-text articles were selected for a qualitative synthesis. The Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement was used to perform an accurate research checklist and report.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
Empirical treatments are no more recommended, although a broad spectrum of antibiotic therapy may be initiated while awaiting the results from pathogens' microbiological characterization. First-line treatment for gonococcal urethritis consists of a single dose of ceftriaxone/azithromycin combined therapy. Specific therapies should be initiated for nongonococcal urethritis according to each single pathogen involved in the infection process. Owing to this reason, NAAT is mandatory in the clinical approach to the disease, although the Gram stain of urethral discharge or smear remains applicable for some less frequent nongonococcal urethritis. Moreover, the urethritis "modern view" also includes noninfectious etiologies that occurred after traumas or injection of irritating compounds. Sexual abstinence of at least 7 d should be observed from the start of treatment to avoid reinfection, while sexual partners should evenly be treated.
CONCLUSIONS
The treatment of urethritis implies accurate determination of pathogens involved in the infection process by NAAT with subsequent appropriate antibiotic therapy, thus avoiding the risk of antibiotic resistance and overuse of antibiotics indicated for empirical treatments. The population exposed to relevant risk factors should be adequately informed about the increased risk of developing infections and motivated toward the intensive use of condoms during sexual intercourses.
PATIENT SUMMARY
Urethritis is a sexually transmitted disease generally characterized by urethral discharge or other symptoms such as itching, tingling, and apparent difficulties in having a regular urinary flow. Microbiological investigations are mandatory to obtain satisfactory results from the treatment. Multiple antibiotic treatments are often necessary due to the high risk of multiple pathogens responsible for the disease. Similarly, sexual partners should be investigated and treated in the same way. Several risk factors such as immunodeficiency, multiple sexual partners, homo- and bisexuality, and alcohol abuse may be related to the disease. In these cases, the use of condom is strongly recommended.
- Language
-
- English
- Open access status
- closed
- Identifiers
-
- DOI 10.1016/j.euf.2018.10.006
- PMID 30318465
- Persistent URL
- https://sonar.rero.ch/global/documents/124713
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