Latest Advances in Laboratory Detection of Mycoplasma genitalium

Abstract

Mycoplasma genitalium is an important sexually transmitted pathogen affecting both men and women. Its extremely slow growth in vitro and very demanding culture requirements necessitate the use of molecular-based diagnostic tests for its detection in clinical specimens. The recent availability of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared commercial molecular-based assays has enabled diagnostic testing to become more widely available in the United States and no longer limited to specialized reference laboratories. Advances in the knowledge of the epidemiology and clinical significance of M. genitalium as a human pathogen made possible by the availability of molecular-based testing have led to updated guidelines for diagnostic testing and treatment that have been published in various countries. This review summarizes the importance of M. genitalium as an agent of human disease, explains the necessity of obtaining a microbiological diagnosis, describes currently available diagnostic methods, and discusses how the emergence of antimicrobial resistance has complicated treatment alternatives and influenced the development of diagnostic tests for resistance detection, with an emphasis on developments over the past few years.

Keywords: HIV; Mollicutes; Mycoplasma genitalium; antimicrobial treatment; cervicitis; lab detection; macrolide; pelvic inflammatory disease; quinolone; urethritis.

FIG 1

Spherical M. genitalium colonies (G37) growing on SP4 agar after 10 days of incubation at 37°C in 5% CO₂ in air. Magnification, ×100.