Researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine (United States) have discovered that the bacteria that causes a common vaginal infection can have a significant presence in men and can be transmitted sexually, reports Europa Press. “We examined the urethral microbiome of healthy adult men and found that many of them actually had bacteria that are associated with bacterial vaginosis in women. These bacteria can be transmitted through the heterosexual vaginal sex, something that has never been shown in research before“said David Nelson, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the Indiana University School of Medicine and a co-author of the study.
Bacterial vaginosis is a common condition in women, but until now researchers have not confirmed that it can be transmitted sexually. According to Nelson, many scientists previously thought that urine is sterile. But this new study, published in the scientific journal ‘Cell Reports Medicine‘ shows that it is not. The team analyzed 110 distal urethral swab samples from men with no urogenital symptoms, no sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and no inflammation of the urethra.
“What we found was amazing. These men had two types of colonized bacteria: one native to the penile urethra and one of external origin. This is the first time that the human microbiome has been shown to be primarily determined by behavior,” says Nelson.
The researchers discovered that only men who reported having vaginal intercourse carried the bacteria that are often associated with bacterial vaginosis. Also that the bacterium was detectable for at least two months after having had vaginal intercourse. This discovery could lead to radical changes in the treatment of certain STIsincluding bacterial vaginosis, in men and women, using a increased contact tracing to better treat sexual partners.
“Our research provides the first baseline that clinicians and scientists can compare to the urogenital health of their patients. Once this baseline is established, we may be able to offer new insights into the role of bacteria in urogenital disease. Sex Talk remains a stigma, so STIs are often overlooked, however, STIs disproportionately affect women and minorities, as well as socioeconomically disadvantaged people“, has highlighted Evelyn Toh, lead author of the article. As a next step, scientists are now investigating whether men could also transmit these bacterial infections to women.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are the 2nd cause of infectious disease in Europe, behind respiratory infections. According to the Bloom Observatory Report “STIs in women in Spain”, presented a month ago, in recent years there has been a rebound in cases of other STIs such as chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhea. Although this growth has affected the entire population, It is women who have experienced a greater increase in STI diagnoses. Between 2016 and 2019, cases of STIs in women in Spain increased by 156%, according to estimates by the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII).
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