Mycoplasma genitalium is a small pathogenic bacterium that lives on the ciliated epithelial cells of the urinary and genital tracts in humans. It is a sexually transmitted pathogen which can cause significant morbidity in men and women, and is a co-factor in HIV transmission. M. genitalium may be the sexually transmitted bacterium that, other than chlamydia, is a main cause of nongonococcal urethritis .
Specifically, it causes urethritis (inflammation of the urinary tract) both in men and women, and also cervicitis (inflammation of cervix) and pelvic inflammation in women. The bacterium Mycoplasma genitalium is difficult to study. The organism is fastidious and culture is difficult and, even when successful, it takes several weeks or even months for each isolate to grow. Data are inconclusive regarding the role of M. genitalium in adverse pregnancy outcomes and ectopic pregnancy
A study released in June 2007 found that infections caused by a bacterium called Mycoplasma genitalium seem to have surpassed gonorrhea in prevalence to become the third most common STD among young people in the United States.
Mycoplasma genitalium in women has been linked to conditions such as bacterial vaginosis (in which unusual bacteria occur inside the vagina, changing its natural pH balance and causing unpleasant discharge and odour); cervicitis (in which the lower genital tract becomes infected and causes inflammation of the cervix); pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and endometritis (infection of the endometrial lining). Mycoplasma genitalium has also been found in women who have given birth prematurely
Symptoms
Women
In most cases of mycoplasma genitalium, the patient shows no symptoms. If she does show signs of being infected, these symptoms are likely to be:
- Vaginal itching
- A burning or otherwise painful sensation when urinating
- Pain during sex
- Long-Term Affects In Women
Doctors think the long-term consequences of a mycoplasma genitalium infection may similar to those of more well-known STDs such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia. This is because the early symptoms of mycoplasma genitalium (when there are symptoms) are similar the early signs of these conditions. In women, gonorrhoea and chlamydia (if left untreated) can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy and lasting pelvic pain.
Men
Often, mycoplasma genitalium is diagnosed in men who suffer from urethritis (inflammation of the urethra) which is not caused by gonorrhoea or chlamydia. Symptoms in men (if symptoms are present) may include:
- Urethral discharge
- A burning or otherwise painful sensation when urinating
- Arthritis (pain and swelling in the joints)
Test Options
QUAD: Identification in a panel of 4 STI’s
STI-9*: Identification in a panel of 9 STI’s
*The STI9 test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Caribbean Genetics. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration or local regulations
Learn more about Mycoplasma Genitalium
