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Review
. 2025 Apr;74(4):001984.
doi: 10.1099/jmm.0.001984.

JMM Profile: Mycoplasma genitalium: a small, yet significant pathogen

Tia Rudman  1   2 , Richard S Rowlands  1 , Jorgen S Jensen  3 , Michael L Beeton  1 , On Behalf Of The Escmid Study Group For Mycoplasma And Chlamydia Infections Esgmac
Affiliations
Review

JMM Profile: Mycoplasma genitalium: a small, yet significant pathogen

Tia Rudman et al. J Med Microbiol. 2025 Apr.

Abstract

Mycoplasma genitalium is characterized by a small genome and a lack of a cell wall, contributing to its unique biology. It is associated with reproductive tract infections, including non-gonococcal urethritis and pelvic inflammatory disease. It is nearly as common as chlamydia in most studies from high-income countries. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance in M. genitalium raises concern about the long-term efficacy of current therapeutic strategies. Understanding its genomic intricacies and pathogenic mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted interventions to address the growing public health impact of this elusive microbe.

Keywords: fluoroquinolones; macrolide resistance; non-gonococcal urethritis.

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Conflict of interest statement

J.S.J. reports grants, personal fees and non-financial support from Hologic, grants and personal fees from Nabriva and personal fees from LeoPharma, Abbott and BioMerieux all outside the submitted work.

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