Gonorrhea Infections may Begin via Exposure to Seminal Fluid: Study

A recent study looks at the how exposure to seminal plasma may begin the transmission of gonorrhea infections

"Our study illustrates an aspect of biology that was previously unknown," said lead study author Mark Anderson, via a press release. "If seminal fluid facilitates motility, it could help transmit gonorrhea from person to person."

This sexually transmitted infection is exclusive to humans and thrives in mainly warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract that might include the cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes in women, and in the urethra of box sexes. In fact, it's estimated that more than 100 million new cases of this sexually transmitted infection occur annually worldwide.

"Research characterizing the mechanisms of pathogenesis and transmission of N. gonorrhoeae is important for developing new prevention strategies, since antibiotic resistance of the organism is becoming increasingly prevalent," adds H. Steven Seifert, another author on the study, via the release. 

Researchers found via a series of laboratory experiments that there was 24 times as many bacteria could pass through after being exposed to seminal plasma. Such exposure caused hairlike appendages on the bacteria surface, also known as pill, to move the cells in a twitching movement and stimulate low concentrations of seminal plasma beyond the initial influx of seminal fluid.

Additional tests also showed that exposure to seminal plasma increased the risk of formation of bacterial microcolonies of human epithelial cells that can also promote infection.

More information regarding the study can be found via mBio.