Does circumcision alter the periurethral bacterial flora?

Abstract

A Prospective Study Of 25 Boys Who Underwent Circumcision For Medical Reason Was Performed. Specimens Of Periurethral Bacterial Flora Were Taken Before Operation As Well As 3 Weeks After Surgery, So That Each Boy Acted As His Own Control. Before Circumcision, 13 (52%) Harboured Uropathogenic Organisms (Escherichia Coli And Other Coliforms, Enterococcus Spp, Proteus Spp, Pseudomonas Spp, And Klebsiella Spp); After Circumcision, None Of The Boys Had Uropathogens, The Only Organisms Cultured From The Periurethral Region Being Skin Commensals. We Postulate That Circumcision Converts A 'Cul-De-Sac' That Is A Reservoir Of Organisms Capable Of Causing Ascending Urinary Tract Infection Into A Surface Colonised By Natural Skin Organisms. This Study Provides Circumstantial Evidence Supporting The Idea That Circumcision In Well-Selected Patients May Confer Protection From Urine Infection.