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. 2009 Oct;36(10):598-606.
doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0b013e3181b01948.

Mycoplasma genitalium as a contributor to the multiple etiologies of cervicitis in women attending sexually transmitted disease clinics

Charlotte Gaydos  1 , Nancy E Maldeis, Andrew Hardick, Justin Hardick, Thomas C Quinn
Affiliations

Mycoplasma genitalium as a contributor to the multiple etiologies of cervicitis in women attending sexually transmitted disease clinics

Charlotte Gaydos et al. Sex Transm Dis. 2009 Oct.

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Mycoplasma genitalium, in women attending a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic, as well as the frequency of coinfections, and relationship of each organism to cervicitis.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study of 324 women attending Baltimore City STD Clinics, C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, T. vaginalis, and M. genitalium were detected using nucleic acid amplification tests. Demographic characteristics and risk factors were ascertained.

Results: Overall prevalence of infection with C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, T. vaginalis, and M. genitalium was found to be 11.1%, 4.6%, 15.3%, and 19.2%, respectively. Prevalence in women with cervicitis was 15.8%, 6%, 18.9%, and 28.6% for C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, T. vaginalis, and M. genitalium, respectively. Percentages of coinfections were high. C. trachomatis and M. genitalium were significantly associated with cervicitis in univariate analysis, but only M. genitalium was significantly associated with cervicitis (AOR: 2.5) in multiple logistic regression models.

Conclusion: Knowledge of the statistical association of M. genitalium with cervicitis in this study increases the need for further confirmation of the etiologic significance of this organism with cervicitis in more diverse populations. The high prevalence merits more study and may have implications for diagnosis and treatment of cervicitis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A, Percent sensitivity and specificity according to infected patient status for Chlamydia trachomatis 11.1% (36/324). (N = 319 cervical swabs; 322 self-administered vaginal swabs; 324 urines). B, Percent sensitivity and specificity for infected patient status for Neisseria gonorrhoeae 4.6% (15/324). (N = 318 cervical swabs; 322 self-administered vaginal swabs; 324 urines).
Fig 2
Fig 2
Percentage of Infections in women with (N = 133) and without (N = 191) cervicitis.
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Comment in

References

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