[Mycoplasma genitalium--aetiological agent of sexually transmitted infection]

Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2007 Sep 6;127(17):2233-5.
[Article in Norwegian]

Abstract

Background: Non-gonococcal urethritis/cervicitis (NGU) is now the most common sexually transmitted infection that is possible to treat. Mycoplasma genitalium is a microorganism about to be established as an aetiological agent of NGU and upper genital infection.

Material and methods: The article is based on literature identified through a Pubmed search.

Results and interpretation: There seems to be sufficient evidence to conclude that Mycoplasma genitalium causes sexually transmitted infection. The microbe is associated with non-gonococcal urethritis in both men and women and cervicitis in women. It may also be the cause of upper genital infection in women. M. genitalium seems to cause more severe urethritis and more often lead to symptomatic urethritis/cervicitis than non-chlamydia-non-gonococcal urethritis/cervicitis that is not associated with M. genitalium. For testing, a cervical/vaginal swab should be used for women and first void urine should be collected for both sexes. Nucleic acid amplification tests are used. Azithromycin is more effective against M. genitalium than doxycycline and erythromycin. Moxifloxacin is effective in cases of azithromycin resistance.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Azithromycin / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mycoplasma Infections / drug therapy
  • Mycoplasma Infections / microbiology*
  • Mycoplasma Infections / transmission
  • Mycoplasma genitalium* / classification
  • Mycoplasma genitalium* / genetics
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / drug therapy
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / microbiology*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / transmission
  • Urethritis / drug therapy
  • Urethritis / microbiology
  • Uterine Cervicitis / drug therapy
  • Uterine Cervicitis / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Azithromycin