Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU)

Definition

Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) is an inflammation of the urethra not caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is commonly associated with bacterial infections such as Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. NGU is primarily caused by sexually transmitted bacteria, with Chlamydia trachomatis being the most common culprit.
2. Symptoms include dysuria (painful urination), urethral discharge, and itching or irritation of the urethra.
3. Diagnosis typically involves a combination of patient history, physical examination, and laboratory tests like nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs).
4. Treatment usually includes antibiotics such as azithromycin or doxycycline to target the underlying bacterial infection.
5. Untreated NGU can lead to complications such as epididymitis in men and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women.

Related terms

Chlamydia trachomatis:

A bacterium that is a common cause of sexually transmitted infections and one of the main pathogens responsible for NGU.

Mycoplasma genitalium:

A type of bacteria that can cause non-gonococcal urethritis and is known for its resistance to multiple antibiotics.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): An infection of the female reproductive organs often caused by sexually transmitted bacteria, including those causing NGU.