Modelling the potential role of saliva use during masturbation in the transmission of Neisseria gonorrhoeae at multiple anatomical sites

Association between saliva use for masturbation and urethral gonorrhoea in men who have sex with men: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

The saliva of individuals with oropharyngeal gonorrhoea can contain viable Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This study examined if using saliva as a lubricant for masturbation is a risk factor for urethral gonorrhoea among men who have sex with men (MSM).

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, MSM aged ≥18 years attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between February 2021 and December 2023 were surveyed. Data were collected on sexual activities in the past 7 days, including receiving fellatio, condomless insertive anal sex, docking, and using saliva for masturbation. Multivariable logistic regression examined associations between these exposures and urethral gonorrhoea.

RESULTS

The median age of the 3114 men was 32 (IQR: 27-40), with 4.7% (n = 145) testing positive for urethral gonorrhoea. Urethral gonorrhoea was independently associated with an increasing number of partners for condomless insertive anal sex (P < 0.001). It was not significantly associated with receiving fellatio (P = 0.613), docking (P = 0.207), or using saliva for masturbation (P = 0.117). However, of the 110 men who only used saliva for masturbation, two (1.8%) had urethral gonorrhoea, and one (0.9%) had both urethral and oropharyngeal gonorrhoea.

CONCLUSION

Condomless insertive anal sex is the leading risk factor for urethral gonorrhoea and not using saliva as a lubricant for masturbation.

Combinations of Sexual Activities During a Sex Episode with Recent Casual Male Partner Among Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Cross-Sectional Study

We examined combinations of nine sexual activities that occurred during a sex episode with a recent male partner among men who have sex with men (MSM) who attended an urban sexual health clinic from April-2017 to September-2017. We collected the following sexual activities: tongue-kissing, penises touching, using saliva during mutual masturbation, performed rimming, received rimming, performed fellatio, received fellatio, insertive anal sex, and receptive anal sex. During a single-sex episode, the most common combinations of sexual activities involved all nine activities (10.6%, 166/1542). We assessed the agreement between any two sexual activities that occurred together during a sex episode. Agreement was highest for receiving rimming and receptive anal sex (kappa = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.35, 0.45), and performing rimming and insertive anal sex (kappa = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.33, 0.42). Agreement was lowest for insertive anal sex and receiving fellatio (kappa = -0.01; 95% CI: -0.05, 0.03), and receptive anal sex and insertive anal sex (kappa = -0.08; 95% CI: -0.13, 0.03). The sexual activities that occur between men are correlated with one another and this will influence transmission between anatomical sites.

STI pathogens in the oropharynx: update on screening and treatment

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The rise in antimicrobial resistance in several STI pathogens such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae has become a public health threat as only one first-line treatment remains. Reducing screening interval for gonorrhoea and chlamydia in high-prevalence populations has been proposed to address antimicrobial stewardship, but this remains controversial. This review aimed to revisit the epidemiology of infections at the oropharynx and review the current screening recommendations and treatment guidelines in different populations.

RECENT FINDINGS

Emerging evidence suggests that the oropharynx is the primary anatomical site for gonorrhoea transmission but maybe not for chlamydia transmission. Most international guidelines recommend 3-monthly oropharyngeal gonorrhoea and chlamydia screening for high-prevalence populations (e.g. men who have sex with men) but not low-prevalence populations (e.g. heterosexuals) given the clinical and public health benefits of screening in low-prevalence populations are still unclear. Doxycycline remains the first-line treatment for oropharyngeal chlamydia in most guidelines. However, some countries have moved from dual therapy (ceftriaxone and azithromycin) to monotherapy (ceftriaxone) for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea treatment to address antimicrobial stewardship.

SUMMARY

The transmission of gonorrhoea and chlamydia is still not fully understood. Further work will be required to evaluate the benefits and harms of reducing screening in high-prevalence populations.