Could Neisseria gonorrhoeae have carcinogenic potential? A critical review of current evidence.

Abstract

There is growing evidence that microbial dysbiosis is intimately related to carcinogenesis across several types of human cancer. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is best known for causing acute exudative genitourinary infection in males. N. gonorrhoeae can also cause chronic, asymptomatic infection of the female genitourinary tract along with the oropharynx and rectum of both sexes. Epidemiological studies suggest that N. gonorrhoeae is an independent risk factor for cancer of the anus, bladder, cervix, prostate, and oropharynx. It is not clear however if this association is causal. The purpose of this review is to appraise epidemiological, experimental, and clinical data in order to understand the possible carcinogenic potential of this sexually transmitted bacterium.