THE POTENTIAL ROLE OF MASTURBATION IN TRANSMITTING NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE AT MULTIPLE ANATOMICAL SITES AMONG MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN

Abstract

Neisseria gonorrhoeae can be cultured from saliva in men with pharyngeal gonorrhoea and could theoretically be transmitted from the pharynx to the urethra when saliva is used as a lubricant for masturbation. To explore this issue, we developed mathematical models for the transmission of Neisseria gonorrhoeae at each of oropharynx, urethra and anorectum among men who have sex with men (MSM). Model 1 included transmission routes (oral sex, anal sex, rimming, kissing, and three sequential sex practices) we have previously validated. In Model 2, we added masturbation to model 1. In Model 3, we included masturbation but excluded the three sequential sex practices. We calibrated our data to six in..