From the Guidelines
The main bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and Mycoplasma genitalium. These infections are caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Treponema pallidum, and Mycoplasma genitalium, respectively 1.
Key Characteristics of Each Infection
- Gonorrhea: typically treated with dual therapy of ceftriaxone 500mg IM once plus azithromycin 1g orally once
- Chlamydia: usually treated with doxycycline 100mg twice daily for 7 days or azithromycin 1g as a single dose
- Syphilis: requires benzathine penicillin G 2.4 million units IM once for early syphilis or weekly for three weeks for late syphilis
- Mycoplasma genitalium infection: typically treated with doxycycline followed by moxifloxacin
Importance of Screening and Treatment
These bacterial STIs often present with symptoms like discharge, pain during urination, or genital lesions, but can also be asymptomatic, making regular screening essential for sexually active individuals 1. All sexual partners should be notified and treated to prevent reinfection, and patients should abstain from sexual activity until treatment is complete and symptoms resolve. Prompt recognition and appropriate treatment of chlamydial and gonococcal infections are crucial not only in the prevention of STD-associated HIV transmission but also in the primary prevention of STD-related infertility 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
- Urethritis and cervicitis due to Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
- Genital ulcer disease in men due to Haemophilus ducreyi (chancroid).
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- Haemophilus ducreyi
The bacterial STIs listed are:
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- Haemophilus ducreyi 2 Note that other bacterial STIs may exist but are not mentioned in the provided drug labels.
From the Research
Bacterial STIs
The following are some of the bacterial STIs:
- Chlamydia 3, 4
- Gonorrhea 3, 4, 5
- Syphilis 3, 4, 5
- Mycoplasma genitalium 3, 6, 4, 5
- Trichomoniasis is not a bacterial infection, it is a protozoan infection 3, 5
Key Characteristics of Bacterial STIs
Some key characteristics of these bacterial STIs include:
- Asymptomatic infections are frequent 3, 6, 4
- Transmission occurs through direct mucosal contact 6
- Symptoms can include urethritis, dysuria, discharge, vaginal discharge, abdominal pain, and dyspareunia 6, 4
- Diagnosis is achievable through nucleic acid amplification testing 3, 6, 4
- Treatment options include antibiotics such as ceftriaxone, doxycycline, penicillin, moxifloxacin, and azithromycin 3, 6, 4, 5
- Antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern, particularly for gonorrhea and Mycoplasma genitalium 3, 6, 4, 5