Prevalence and Clinical Manifestations of Penile Gonococcal Cutaneous and Accessory Gland Infections in Men With Gonorrhea.

BACKGROUND

No studies have focused on the prevalence and clinical manifestations of penile gonococcal cutaneous and accessory gland infections in men with gonorrhea.

METHODS

We enrolled patients with penile gonococcal cutaneous and accessory gland infections and patients with urethral gonorrhea from January 2014 to February 2020. Demographic data, occurrence sites, and manifestations of all patients were recorded.

RESULTS

Fifty-one patients with penile gonococcal cutaneous and accessory gland infections were observed among 1994 (2.6%; 95% confidence interval, 1.9%-3.4%) patients with urethral or penile gonorrhea. Lesions were present at the external urethral orifice in 22 (43%) patients, at the glans in 11 (21%), in the side of the frenulum of the prepuce in 7 (14%), in the penile raphe in 5 (10%), in the inner plate of the prepuce in 1 (2%), in the external urethral orifice and side of the frenulum of the prepuce in 3 (6%), and in the glans and side of the frenulum of the prepuce in 2 (4%). The lesions manifested as sinus-like lesions in 22 (43%) patients, abscesses in 14 (27%), nodules in 10 (20%), pustules in 3 (6%), nodules with sinus tracts in 1 (2%), and ulcers in 1 (2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Penile gonococcal cutaneous and accessory gland infections in men probably are more common than previously understood. They mainly involve the paraurethral duct, glans, Tyson's gland, and penile raphe. Lesions mainly present as sinus-like lesions, abscesses, and nodules.