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Cureus Dec 2021Smegma pearls can cause diagnostic dilemmas for pediatricians who are unfamiliar with this condition leading to unnecessary investigations and referrals. Despite the...
Smegma pearls can cause diagnostic dilemmas for pediatricians who are unfamiliar with this condition leading to unnecessary investigations and referrals. Despite the common occurrence of smegma pearls in uncircumcised young boys, it is not often reported in the literature. Smegma is a normal secretion consisting of desquamated epithelial cells, fat, and protein. It has mixed bacterial flora with smegma bacillus in 50% of cases. Smegma itself is neither damaging nor irritating substance and as Howe has stated, it is not carcinogenic also. Smegma production and keratinization of cells facilitate the separation of the fused foreskin from the glans epithelium. we are presenting a case of a penile nodule in the shaft of the penis without any pain, bleeding, or discharge. The smegma content gives a yellowish color to the lump. Smegma pearls do not have any covering sac. When the smegma is covered in a well-formed epithelial wall, it is called a smegma cyst. Long-standing smegma collection can turn into a hard stone-like structure called Smegmolith due to chronic irritation and mineral accumulation. Treatment should include monitoring for resolution with parental reassurance. Smegma pearls are benign, and they spontaneously resolve over time. This case report intends to help pediatricians correctly identify this benign, yet not widely published in the literature condition and reassure the parents and patients to improve the patient care and avoid unnecessary tests and referrals.
PubMed: 35004069
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.20270 -
Indian Dermatology Online Journal 2017
PubMed: 29204413
DOI: 10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_384_16 -
Investigative and Clinical Urology Mar 2019The aim of the study was to investigate the common bacteria found in the smegma in the subpreputial space of asymptomatic boys prospectively, and to determine the... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
PURPOSE
The aim of the study was to investigate the common bacteria found in the smegma in the subpreputial space of asymptomatic boys prospectively, and to determine the difference of those bacteria according to the presence of smegma.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In our institution, 40 boys who performed penoplasty were recruited into the study. Swab was done using aseptic techniques on smegma and glans in the operation room. According to the presence of smegma in the subpreputial space, we classified glans as a group S (with smegma, n=20) and group C (without smegma, n=20). The swabs were immediately sent to microbiology laboratory for microscopy, culture, and sensitivity tests.
RESULTS
The mean age was 30.4±26.4 months. Thirty-one bacteria were isolated from smegma, comprising 15 gram-positive species (48.4%) and 16 gram-negative species (51.6%). The most commonly isolated gram-negative bacterium was (25.8%), while the commonly isolated gram-positive bacteria were (19.4%) and (12.9%). Most of the bacterial isolates were multi-drug-resistant (61.3%). In group S, 12 boys had 22 bacterial isolates in the glans. The commonly isolated bacteria were (27.3%), (22.7%) and (18.2%). In group C, 13 boys had 21 bacterial isolates in the glans. The most commonly isolated bacterium was (28.6%).
CONCLUSIONS
Smegma in the subpreputial space of children was colonized by many kinds of uropathogen.
Topics: Bacteria; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Male; Penis; Prospective Studies; Smegma
PubMed: 30838346
DOI: 10.4111/icu.2019.60.2.127 -
The Pan African Medical Journal 2021
Topics: Circumcision, Male; Diabetes Mellitus; Humans; Male; Smegma
PubMed: 34909082
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2021.40.94.26196 -
Cureus Aug 2022Smegma pearls, also called smegmomas, are a natural secretion composed of epithelial cells, protein, and fat. Smegma pearls are not carcinogenic and do not induce damage...
Smegma pearls, also called smegmomas, are a natural secretion composed of epithelial cells, protein, and fat. Smegma pearls are not carcinogenic and do not induce damage or irritation. Despite the frequent occurrence of smegma pearls in uncircumcised children, no case among circumcised patients was reported. Here, we are presenting, for the first time, a case of smegma pearl in a circumcised patient. A 36-year-old circumcised male patient presented with a smegma pearl. The purpose of the present case report is to describe the diagnosis of this benign condition in circumcised patients, yet not described in the literature, and help physicians to enhance patient management and avoid needless investigations or treatments.
PubMed: 36176834
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.28491 -
Urology Journal Nov 2020This study investigates the frequency of isolated microorganisms and the antimicrobial resistant pattern of inner foreskin and smegma in prepubertal children. (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
PURPOSE
This study investigates the frequency of isolated microorganisms and the antimicrobial resistant pattern of inner foreskin and smegma in prepubertal children.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted between March and November 2019, where 132 prepubertal boys, who were scheduled to receive religious circumcisions at our outpatient clinic, were examined. The patients were divided into the following groups based on the presence of smegma in their subpreputial space: Group I (with smegma, n=58) and Group II (without smegma, n=74). Sterile stuart transport swabs (Advanced Diagnostic Research, Mediko Kimya, Turkey) were taken from the smegma or the subpreputial space (glans surface and inner foreskin) using aseptic techniques and then the swab samples were immediately transported by sterile stuart transportation for microscopy, culture identification, and antibiographic resistance testing by conventional test methods and automated systems (VITEK II, Biomerieux, France) to the Microbiological Laboratory of our hospital.
RESULTS
48 bacteria isolated from 39 boys in Group I comprised 28 gram-positive species (58.3%) and 20 gram-negative species (41.7%). The most commonly isolated gram-negative bacterium was Proteus mirabilis (45%) while most positive was Staphylococcus hominis (42.9%). In Group II, 68 boys had 103 bacterial isolates in the glans comprising 81 gram-positive species (78.6%) and 22 gram-negative species (21.4%). The most commonly isolated gram-negative bacterium was Proteus mirabilis (42.9%) while the most positive were Enterococcus faecalis (40.7%) and S. hominis (42.9%) Conclusion: The subpreputial space of uncircumcised boys is colonized by various types of uropathogens resistant to multidrug drugs. Smegma does not pose additional risks to microbiological colonization in children.
Topics: Bacteria; Child, Preschool; Circumcision, Male; Cross-Sectional Studies; Foreskin; Humans; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Smegma
PubMed: 33236338
DOI: 10.22037/uj.v16i7.6030 -
Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic... Jul 2018Bovine trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease that results in infertility, abortion, and calf age variability. To date, management strategies include testing...
Bovine trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease that results in infertility, abortion, and calf age variability. To date, management strategies include testing for Tritrichomonas foetus and culling of infected males. Challenges associated with testing include cost of culture medium, time and labor burden of sample incubation and processing, and adverse effects of bacterial growth on detection sensitivity. To overcome these challenges, we developed a direct reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR (direct RT-qPCR) utilizing smegma, eliminating the use of culture medium. In an analysis of 166 field samples (56 positives and 110 negatives as determined using microscopic reading of cultures as the reference test), the direct RT-qPCR exhibited 100% diagnostic sensitivity and 100% specificity, whereas the currently employed qPCR (culture qPCR), which utilizes cultured samples, exhibited 95% diagnostic sensitivity and 100% specificity. Agreement between direct RT-qPCR and culture qPCR was 98%. Moreover, direct RT-qPCR identified 3 more positive samples and exhibited lower quantification cycle (Cq) values among positives by culture reading than did culture qPCR (direct RT-qPCR Cq range = 14.6-32.3 vs. culture qPCR Cq range = 18.7-37.4). The direct RT-qPCR enables simplified sample collection, elimination of culture medium, faster results, applicability in cows, and lower cost than culture qPCR.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Female; Male; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Pregnancy; Protozoan Infections, Animal; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Smegma; Specimen Handling; Tritrichomonas foetus
PubMed: 29633923
DOI: 10.1177/1040638718767943 -
Journal of the American Veterinary... Jun 2019To determine the prevalence of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) in beef bulls; evaluate the presence of BLV provirus DNA in blood, smegma, and semen samples; and analyze...
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) in beef bulls; evaluate the presence of BLV provirus DNA in blood, smegma, and semen samples; and analyze whether blood BLV proviral load was associated with differential blood cell counts.
DESIGN
Observational cross-sectional study.
ANIMALS
121 beef bulls ≥ 2 years old from 39 Michigan herds.
PROCEDURES
Blood, smegma, and semen samples were collected from each bull during a routine breeding soundness examination. An ELISA was used to detect serum anti-BLV antibodies. A coordination of common motifs-quantitative PCR assay was used to detect BLV provirus DNA in blood, smegma, and semen samples. Bulls with positive results on both the BLV serum ELISA and coordination of common motifs-quantitative PCR assay were considered infected with BLV.
RESULTS
19 of 39 (48.7%) herds and 54 of 121 (44.6%) bulls were infected with BLV. Provirus DNA was detected in the blood of all 54 and in smegma of 4 BLV-infected bulls but was not detected in any semen sample. Lymphocyte count was significantly greater in BLV-infected bulls than in uninfected bulls. The proportion of BLV-infected bulls with lymphocytosis (16/54 [29.6%]) was greater than the proportion of uninfected bulls with lymphocytosis (6/67 [9%]). Lymphocyte count was positively associated with BLV proviral load in BLV-infected bulls.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Results indicated that almost half of beef bulls and herds were infected with BLV, and BLV provirus DNA was detected in the smegma of some BLV-infected bulls. Bulls may have an important role in BLV transmission in beef herds.
Topics: Animals; Breeding; Cattle; Cross-Sectional Studies; Enzootic Bovine Leukosis; Leukemia Virus, Bovine; Male
PubMed: 31067187
DOI: 10.2460/javma.254.11.1335 -
Clinical Case Reports Jun 2023Provide comprehensive knowledge to healthcare practitioners regarding the benign characteristics of smegma pearls, aiming to alleviate anxiety and minimize unwarranted...
KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE
Provide comprehensive knowledge to healthcare practitioners regarding the benign characteristics of smegma pearls, aiming to alleviate anxiety and minimize unwarranted medical interventions.
ABSTRACT
Penile nodules in infant are distressing to the mother and also cause diagnostic dilemmas to primary care physician. Most of the penile nodules are benign and the only treatment is reassurance to the mother. Smegma pearl occurs due to accumulation of the desquamated epithelial cells under the penile foreskin and are visualized as yellowish white lumps. We present a similar case who presented to the primary health centre at rural Nepal.
PubMed: 37361659
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.7613