This study aimed to examine the role of saliva in anorectal sexually transmissible infections.
We surveyed men who have sex with men on their sexual practices involving saliva and tested the men for sexually transmissible infections.
Saliva as a lubricant was significantly associated with rectal gonorrhoea after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Anorectal chlamydia was associated with using a partner's saliva as lubricant
This is the first study to show that using partner’s saliva as a lubricant for anal sexual practices may be a substantial risk factor for rectal infections. Using saliva as lubricant could potentially contribute to about 40% of rectal infections.
As part of this study, we also surveyed participants on their mouthwash use and tested them for throat gonorrhoea.
We found that although the proportion of daily use of mouthwash increased with age, and pharyngeal gonorrhoea detection decreased with age, the association between self-reported mouthwash use and pharyngeal gonorrhoea detection by nucleic acid amplification test was not statistically significant. More detailed studies are needed to examine whether mouthwash could be recommended to reduce throat gonorrhoea.
Publications
Associations between anorectal chlamydia and oro-anal sex or saliva use as a lubricant for anal sex: A cross-sectional survey
Cornelisse V, Fairley CK, Read TRH, Lee D, Walker S, Hocking JS, Chen MY, Bradshaw CS, Chow EPF
(2018), Sexually Transmitted Diseases,
Self-reported use of mouthwash and pharyngeal gonorrhoea detection by nucleic acid amplification test
Eric P.F. Chow, Sandra Walker, Tim R.H. Read, Marcus Y Chen, Catriona S Bradshaw and Christopher K Fairley
(2017), Sexually Transmitted Diseases,
Saliva use as a lubricant for anal sex is a risk factor for rectal gonorrhoea among men who have sex with men; a new public health message
Chow EPF, Cornelisse VJ, Read TRH, Lee D, Walker S, Hocking JS, Chen MY, Bradshaw CS, Fairley CK
(2016), Sexually Transmitted Infections,