The Utility of Anoscopy in the Rapid Diagnosis of Symptomatic Anorectal Gonorrhea in Men

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Abstract
Homosexual men seeking treatment for symptomatic proctitis were examined for anorectal gonorrhea by study of gram-stained smears obtained via via an anoscope and by a blindly obtained anorectal swab specimen. Anorectal specimens for culture were obtained from 39 men. The sensitivity of the anoscopically obtained smears was 79% as compared with 53% for the blindly obtained smears. Gram-stained smears obtained through an anoscope can provide rapid diagnosis of most cases of symptomatic anorectal gonorrhea. All patients with symptomatic proctitis should have routine anoscopy and examination of gram-stained smears obtained via anoscopy as part of their diagnostic evaluation.