RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Non-specific urethritis and the tetracyclines. JF The British Journal of Venereal Diseases JO Br J Vener Dis FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 198 OP 205 DO 10.1136/sti.51.3.198 VO 51 IS 3 A1 A S Grimble A1 K L Amarasuriya YR 1975 UL http://sti.bmj.com/content/51/3/198.abstract AB The possible aetiological factors in non-gonococcal and non-specific urethritis are reviewed. The response of NSU to various courses of different tetracycline drugs is assessed. Prolonged courses of treatment did not give better results than shorter courses. When reviewing the infective aetiology of non-gonococcal urethritis, it was noted that more than one organism (or potential pathogen) would be present in many cases. It is therefore surmised that there may be at times a mixed aetiology and at other times a truly non-specific aetiology. Isolations by different workers have indicated that the following organisms might be expected: Chlamydia 40 per cent.; Mycoplasma-M. hominis 20 per cent., T-strain over 60 per cent.; Trichomonas 15 per cent.; Candida possibly over 5 per cent. Truly non-specific urethritis may account for 25 to 30 per cent. of cases.