Comparative assessment of microbiological methods for the diagnosis of gonorrhea in women.

Abstract

Gonorrhoea is generally accepted as being more difficult to diagnose in women than in men. In the case of women symptoms and signs are often absent or miniimal, and most authorities will agree with Catterall (1970) that conventional tests (smears stained by Gram's method and culture for the organism on selective media) will lead to a diagnosis in only about 70 per cent. of infected cases at the first visit. Repeated examinations are needed in many cases, and problems will arise due to patients de- faulting and re-infecting their sexual partners.