Mycoplasma genitalium is a sexually transmitted organism. The urogenital tract is the primary site of infection with Mycoplasma genitalium, but asymptomatic transmission has been reported in homosexual men (rectally) and asymptomatic women. Pharyngeal transmission of the organism has not been reported.
Worldwide, the prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium infection ranges from 1 to 4% in men and from 1 to 6.4% in women. Carriers of the organism may be asymptomatic. The prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium is higher in populations at high risk for other sexually transmitted infections and may range from 4% to 38%. Mycoplasma genitalium infections are much more common in HIV-positive men and women.
Mycoplasma genitalium is responsible for nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) in men regardless of Chlamydia trachomatis and Ureaplasma spp. It is responsible for 15-20% of NGU cases and is the second most common cause of NGU after C. trachomatis. Mycoplasma genitalium is also associated with 30% of persistent or recurrent urethritis cases and may be related to post-gonococcal urethritis, balanoposthitis, prostatitis, and epididymitis.
In women, the pathogenic role of Mycoplasma genitalium is less significant than in men. M. genitalium can be found in the vagina, cervix, and endometrium, but M. genitalium infections are usually asymptomatic. It can be detected in 10-30% of women with clinical cervicitis, making M. genitalium the only human mycoplasma implicated in the development of mucopurulent cervicitis and urethritis, and there is evidence of an association of M. genitalium with pelvic inflammatory disease. Mycoplasma genitalium can cause female infertility, especially with tubal involvement.
M. genitalium is susceptible to the MLSK (Macrolides-Lincosamides-Streptogramins-Ketolides) group of antibiotics, including levofloxacin and moxifloxacin. Tetracyclines are also potent in vitro, but many treatment failures have been reported, and specific acquired resistance has not been documented. Macrolide-resistant strains of M. genitalium were first identified a few years ago but have now become widespread.
At Diagnostiki Athens, testing for the presence of Mycoplasma genitalium in the genitourinary system can be done individually and only for this specific microorganism, while it is also tested in combination with other organisms in the following laboratory tests:
