Urine and Urethral Swab Microbiomes Are Similar
Author Information
Author(s): Dong Qunfeng, Nelson David E., Toh Evelyn, Diao Lixia, Gao Xiang, Fortenberry J. Dennis, Van Der Pol Barbara
Primary Institution: University of North Texas
Hypothesis
Do the bacterial communities in urine reflect those in the distal male urethra?
Conclusion
The microbiomes in male first-catch urine and urethral swab specimens are nearly identical, regardless of STI status.
Supporting Evidence
- Urine and swab specimens yielded similar proportions of high quality 16S rRNA sequences.
- 88 bacterial genera identified in urine specimens from STI positive men were also present in swab specimens.
- Distributions of bacteria in individual urine-swab pairs were highly similar.
Takeaway
This study found that urine and urethral swabs have very similar bacteria, so urine can be used for testing without the discomfort of swabs.
Methodology
Paired urine and urethral swab specimens were collected from men and analyzed using 16S rRNA PCR and deep pyrosequencing.
Potential Biases
The study population was recruited from an STI clinic, which may not represent the general male population.
Limitations
Results may not apply to older men or healthy populations outside of the STI clinic setting.
Participant Demographics
Adult men, median age 28 years, recruited from an urban STD clinic.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.04
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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