Deep Kissing Might Spread Oropharyngeal Gonorrhea in MSM

By Amy Orciari Herman

Edited by André Sofair, MD, MPH, and William E. Chavey, MD, MS

Deep kissing alone could be a risk factor for transmission of oropharyngeal gonorrhea in men who have sex with men (MSM), according to a study in Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Roughly 3000 MSM presenting to an Australian sexual health clinic completed surveys about their sexual (oral or anal) and tongue-kissing behaviors over the prior 3 months and underwent gonorrhea testing. Some 6% tested positive for oropharyngeal gonorrhea.

After multivariable adjustment, men who had four or more kissing-only partners had a 46% increased risk for oropharyngeal gonorrhea, and those who had 4 or more kissing-with-sex partners had an 81% increased risk, relative to those with 0–1 partners. Meanwhile, the number of sex-only partners was not associated with oropharyngeal gonorrhea.

The researchers conclude, "This cross-sectional study provides the first empiric evidence that gonorrhea may be transmitted from one man's oropharynx to another man's oropharynx through tongue-kissing."