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Annals of the New York Academy of... Apr 2007The anatomic structures in the female that prevent incontinence and genital organ prolapse on increases in abdominal pressure during daily activities include sphincteric... (Review)
Review
The anatomic structures in the female that prevent incontinence and genital organ prolapse on increases in abdominal pressure during daily activities include sphincteric and supportive systems. In the urethra, the action of the vesical neck and urethral sphincteric mechanisms maintains urethral closure pressure above bladder pressure. Decreases in the number of striated muscle fibers of the sphincter occur with age and parity. A supportive hammock under the urethra and vesical neck provides a firm backstop against which the urethra is compressed during increases in abdominal pressure to maintain urethral closure pressures above the rapidly increasing bladder pressure. This supporting layer consists of the anterior vaginal wall and the connective tissue that attaches it to the pelvic bones through the pubovaginal portion of the levator ani muscle, and the uterosacral and cardinal ligaments comprising the tendinous arch of the pelvic fascia. At rest the levator ani maintains closure of the urogenital hiatus. They are additionally recruited to maintain hiatal closure in the face of inertial loads related to visceral accelerations as well as abdominal pressurization in daily activities involving recruitment of the abdominal wall musculature and diaphragm. Vaginal birth is associated with an increased risk of levator ani defects, as well as genital organ prolapse and urinary incontinence. Computer models indicate that vaginal birth places the levator ani under tissue stretch ratios of up to 3.3 and the pudendal nerve under strains of up to 33%, respectively. Research is needed to better identify the pathomechanics of these conditions.
Topics: Biomechanical Phenomena; Female; Humans; Pelvic Floor; Urethra
PubMed: 17416924
DOI: 10.1196/annals.1389.034 -
American Family Physician May 2021Urethritis refers to inflammation of the urethra and is classified as gonococcal (caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae) or nongonococcal in origin (most commonly caused by... (Review)
Review
Urethritis refers to inflammation of the urethra and is classified as gonococcal (caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae) or nongonococcal in origin (most commonly caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, or Trichomonas vaginalis). The most common signs and symptoms include dysuria, mucopurulent urethral discharge, urethral discomfort, and erythema. Diagnostic criteria include typical signs, symptoms, or history of exposure in addition to mucopurulent discharge, Gram stain of urethral secretions showing at least two white blood cells per oil immersion field, first-void urinalysis showing at least 10 white blood cells per high-power field, or a positive leukocyte esterase result with first-void urine. First-line empiric treatment consists of ceftriaxone and doxycycline; however, the antibiotic regimen may be targeted to the isolated organism. Repeat testing is not recommended less than three weeks after treatment because false-positive results are possible during this time. Patients treated for a sexually transmitted infection should have repeat screening in three months, with shared decision-making about future screening intervals. Patients treated for urethritis should abstain from sex for seven days after the start of treatment, until their partners have been adequately treated, and until their symptoms have fully resolved.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Symptom Assessment; Treatment Outcome; Urethritis
PubMed: 33929174
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Clinical Microbiology Nov 2022Neisseria meningitidis is a common commensal bacterium found in the respiratory tract, but it can also cause severe, invasive disease. Vaccines have been employed which... (Review)
Review
Neisseria meningitidis is a common commensal bacterium found in the respiratory tract, but it can also cause severe, invasive disease. Vaccines have been employed which have been successful in helping to prevent invasive disease caused by encapsulated N. meningitidis from the A, C, W, Y, and B serogroups. Currently, nonencapsulated N. meningitidis groups are more common commensals in the population than in the prevaccine era. One emerging nonencapsulated group of bacteria is the U.S. N. meningitidis urethritis clade (US_NmUC), which can cause meningococcal urethritis in men. US_NmUC has unique genotypic and phenotypic features that may increase its fitness in the male urethra. It is diagnostically challenging to identify and distinguish meningococcal urethritis from Neisseria gonorrhoeae, as the clinical presentation and microbiological findings are overlapping. In this review, the history of meningococcal urethritis, emergence of US_NmUC, laboratory diagnosis, and clinical treatment are all explored.
Topics: Male; Humans; Urethritis; Neisseria meningitidis; Neisseria gonorrhoeae; Serogroup; Urethra; Meningococcal Infections
PubMed: 35969045
DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00575-22 -
American Family Physician May 2021
Topics: Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Diagnostic Self Evaluation; Humans; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Symptom Assessment; Urethritis
PubMed: 33929176
DOI: No ID Found -
MBio Oct 2022Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) is a common genital tract syndrome in men, and up to 50% of cases are considered idiopathic, i.e., no etiological agent is identified....
Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) is a common genital tract syndrome in men, and up to 50% of cases are considered idiopathic, i.e., no etiological agent is identified. This poses challenges for clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of NGU and often results in antibiotic misuse and overuse. Therefore, to identify potential infectious causes of urethritis and inform clinical management of urethritis cases, we characterized and compared the urethral microbiota of men with and without idiopathic urethritis. Participants were derived from a case-control study that examined viral and bacterial pathogens and sexual practices associated with NGU. Men with NGU who tested negative for established causes of NGU (Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas vaginalis, adenoviruses, herpes simplex virus [HSV]-1, and/or HSV-2) were classified as idiopathic cases, and the controls were men reporting no current urethral symptoms. Men provided a urine sample that was used to characterize the urethral microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Bacterial taxa associated with idiopathic urethritis were identified using analysis of compositions of microbiomes with bias correction. When stratified by sex of sexual partner, we found that the abundance of Haemophilus influenzae was significantly increased in men who have sex with men with idiopathic urethritis, and the abundance of Corynebacterium was significantly increased in men who have sex with women with idiopathic urethritis. Other taxa, including Ureaplasma, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia, and Streptococcus pneumoniaepseudopneumoniae, dominated the urethral microbiota of idiopathic urethritis cases but not controls, suggesting that these organisms may also contribute to urethritis. Importantly, the taxa we identified represent biologically plausible causes of urethritis and should be prioritized for future study. Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) is the commonest genital tract syndrome in men and is nearly universally presumptively treated with an antibiotic. Common causes of NGU include Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium, but in more than 50% of cases, an infectious cause is not identified. In this case-control study, we found that the urethral microbiota composition differed between men with and without idiopathic urethritis and differed by sex of sexual partner. We identified specific bacterial taxa that were associated with idiopathic urethritis, including Haemophilus influenzae and Corynebacterium. These data, together with the finding that key bacterial taxa were found to dominate the urethral microbiota of cases but not controls, suggest that a range of bacteria contribute to urethritis and that these organisms may be influenced by sexual practices. Through identifying the infectious causes of urethritis, we can inform appropriate targeted diagnostic and treatment practices and importantly reduce misuse and overuse of antibiotics.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Urethritis; Homosexuality, Male; Case-Control Studies; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Mycoplasma genitalium; Chlamydia trachomatis; Herpesvirus 1, Human; Microbiota; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 36190130
DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02213-22 -
Ugeskrift For Laeger Apr 2023This review summarises the principles for diagnosing and treating acute urological trauma. Renal trauma can be life threatening, although most injuries are... (Review)
Review
This review summarises the principles for diagnosing and treating acute urological trauma. Renal trauma can be life threatening, although most injuries are self-limiting. Development in imaging and non-operative measures allows for a more conservative and nephron-sparing approach. Pelvic fracture urethral injury is often associated with multiple injuries. Strategy for intervention depends on whether the injury is partial or complete, anterior or posterior. Penile fracture is a rare but acute urological condition. Surgical treatment is necessary to minimize risk of complications. If handled accordingly, the functional outcome is good.
Topics: Humans; Urethra; Urethral Diseases; Fractures, Bone; Multiple Trauma; Kidney
PubMed: 37057693
DOI: No ID Found -
The British Journal of Venereal Diseases Dec 1952
Topics: Herpesviridae Infections; Humans; Urethritis
PubMed: 13009101
DOI: 10.1136/sti.28.4.205 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Jul 2015Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU), or inflammation of the urethra, is the most common treatable sexually transmitted syndrome in men, with approximately 20-50 % of cases... (Review)
Review
Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU), or inflammation of the urethra, is the most common treatable sexually transmitted syndrome in men, with approximately 20-50 % of cases being due to infection with Chlamydia trachomatis and 10-30 % Mycoplasma genitalium. Other causes are Ureaplasma urealyticum, Trichomonas vaginalis, anaerobes, Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and adenovirus. Up to half of the cases are non-specific. Urethritis is characterized by discharge, dysuria and/or urethral discomfort but may be asymptomatic. The diagnosis of urethritis is confirmed by demonstrating an excess of polymorpho-nuclear leucocytes (PMNLs) in a stained smear. An excess of mononuclear leucocytes in the smear indicates a viral etiology. In patients presenting with symptoms of urethritis, the diagnosis should be confirmed by microscopy of a stained smear, ruling out gonorrhea. Nucleid acid amplifications tests (NAAT) for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis and for M. genitalium. If viral or protozoan aetiology is suspected, NAAT for HSV, adenovirus and T. vaginalis, if available. If marked symptoms and urethritis is confirmed, syndromic treatment should be given at the first appointment without waiting for the laboratory results. Treatment options are doxycycline 100 mg x 2 for one week or azithromycin 1 gram single dose or 1,5 gram distributed in five days. However, azithromycin as first line treatment without test of cure for M. genitalium and subsequent Moxifloxacin treatment of macrolide resistant strains will select and increase the macrolide resistant strains in the population. If positive for M. genitalium, test of cure samples should be collected no earlier than three weeks after start of treatment. If positive in test of cure, moxifloxacin 400 mg 7-14 days is indicated. Current partner(s) should be tested and treated with the same regimen. They should abstain from intercourse until both have completed treatment. Persistent or recurrent NGU must be confirmed with microscopy. Reinfection and compliance must be considered. Evidence for the following recommendations is limited, and is based on clinical experience and guidelines. If doxycycline was given as first therapy, azithromycin five days plus metronidazole 4-500 mg twice daily for 5-7 days should be given. If azithromycin was prescribed as first therapy, doxycycline 100 mg x 2 for one week plus metronidazole, or moxifloxacin 400 mg orally once daily for 7-14 days should be given.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Chlamydia trachomatis; Doxycycline; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Fluoroquinolones; Humans; Metronidazole; Moxifloxacin; Mycoplasma genitalium; Urethritis
PubMed: 26220178
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-015-1043-4 -
Urologia Internationalis 2022The purpose of this review was to summarize the current literature on the assessment and treatment of radiation urethritis and cystitis (RUC) for the development of an... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review was to summarize the current literature on the assessment and treatment of radiation urethritis and cystitis (RUC) for the development of an evidenced-based management algorithm.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The PubMed/MEDLINE database was searched by a multidisciplinary group of experts in January 2021.
RESULTS
In total, 48 publications were identified. Three different types of RUC can be observed in clinical practice: inflammation-predominant, bleeding-predominant, and the combination of inflammation- and bleeding-RUC. There is no consensus on the optimal treatment of RUC. Inflammation-predominant RUC should be treated symptomatically based on the existence of bothersome storage or voiding lower urinary tract symptom as well as on pain. When bleeding-predominant RUC has occurred, hydration and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HOT) should be used first and, if HOT is not available, oral drugs instead (sodium pentosane polysulfate, aminocaproic acid, immunokine WF 10, conjugated estrogene, or pentoxifylline + vitamin E). If local bleeding persists, focal therapy of bleeding vessels with a laser or electrocoagulation is indicated. In case of generalized bleeding, intravesical installation should be initiated (formalin, aluminium salts, and hyaluronic acid/chondroitin). Vessel embolization is a less invasive treatment with potentially less complications and good clinical outcomes. Open- or robot-assisted surgery is indicated in patients with permanent, life-threatening bleeding, or fistulae.
CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of RUC, if not self-limiting, should be done according to the type of RUC and in a stepwise approach. Conservative/medical treatment (oral and topic agents) should primarily be used before invasive (transurethral) treatments.
Topics: Acute Disease; Algorithms; Chronic Disease; Cystitis; Humans; Radiation Injuries; Urethritis
PubMed: 34130300
DOI: 10.1159/000515716 -
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association... Jul 2013
Topics: Gonorrhea; Humans; Male; Neisseria gonorrhoeae; Urethritis
PubMed: 23836923
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.113-2122