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Review
. 2011 Jul;24(3):498-514.
doi: 10.1128/CMR.00006-11.

Mycoplasma genitalium: from Chrysalis to multicolored butterfly

David Taylor-Robinson  1 , Jørgen Skov Jensen
Affiliations
Review

Mycoplasma genitalium: from Chrysalis to multicolored butterfly

David Taylor-Robinson et al. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2011 Jul.

Abstract

The history, replication, genetics, characteristics (both biological and physical), and factors involved in the pathogenesis of Mycoplasma genitalium are presented. The latter factors include adhesion, the influence of hormones, motility, possible toxin production, and immunological responses. The preferred site of colonization, together with current detection procedures, mainly by PCR technology, is discussed. The relationships between M. genitalium and various diseases are highlighted. These diseases include acute and chronic nongonococcal urethritis, balanoposthitis, chronic prostatitis, and acute epididymitis in men and urethritis, bacterial vaginosis, vaginitis, cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and reproductive disease in women. A causative relationship, or otherwise strong association, between several of these diseases and M. genitalium is apparent, and the extent of this, on a subjective basis, is presented; also provided is a comparison between M. genitalium and two other genital tract-orientated mollicutes, namely, Mycoplasma hominis, the first mycoplasma of human origin to be discovered, and Ureaplasma species. Also discussed is the relationship between M. genitalium and infertility and also arthritis in both men and women, as is infection in homosexual and immunodeficient patients. Decreased immunity, as in HIV infections, may enhance mycoplasmal detection and increase disease severity. Finally, aspects of the antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance of M. genitalium, together with the treatment and possible prevention of mycoplasmal disease, are discussed.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Transmission electron micrograph of M. genitalium negatively stained with ammonium molybdate. The characteristic flask shape and the terminal truncated portion with extracellular small projections are shown. The organism size is presented in the text (original magnification, ×120,000). (Reprinted from reference .)
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Association between M. genitalium and acute NGU in men. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated from published studies of PCR positivity. References correspond to reference numbers , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and .
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Association between M. genitalium and acute nonchlamydial NGU. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated from published studies of PCR positivity. References correspond to reference numbers , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and .
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Association of M. genitalium with cervicitis depending on the criterion used for defining cervicitis. (Data from reference .)
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.
Association between M. genitalium and cervicitis. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated from published studies of PCR positivity. hpf, high-power field. References correspond to reference numbers , , , , , , , , , , , , , and .
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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