Mycoplasma genitalium positivity and co-infection with Chlamydia trachomatis and/or Neisseria gonorrhoeae at various care sites across the United States
Recommended Citation
Van Der Pol B, Arcenas R, Boraas C, Chavoustie S, Crane LL, d’Empaire N, Ermel AC, Harnett G, Hinestrosa F, House S, Lillis R, Miller JB, Mills A, Poblete R, Young SA. Mycoplasma genitalium positivity and co-infection with Chlamydia trachomatis and/or Neisseria gonorrhoeae at various care sites across the United States. Sexual Health 2024; 21(4):38.
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
8-7-2024
Publication Title
Sexual Health
Abstract
Background: Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) has increasingly been recognised as a pathogen of importance given its association with persistent urethritis, antibiotic resistance and potential complications (e.g., pelvic inflammatory disease). Here, we assess MG positivity and co-infection with Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and/or Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) during a trial assessing the clinical performance of the cobas® CT/NG/MG test (assay not cleared by US FDA. Submission currently under review and subject to change per health authority feedback), a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay for point-of-care testing. Methods: This non-interventional study assessed MG positivity in prospectively collected (by clinicians/participants) specimens (urine/vaginal swabs in cobas® PCR Media) from symptomatic/asymptomatic patients 14 years of age from 13 sites across the US. Participants were designated as being infected ( +) or not infected (-) with CT, NG and MG based on combined results from three FDA-cleared assays and one laboratory-developed test. Co-infection rates were determined for samples with valid results for CT, NG and MG. Results: Median (range) age of the study population (N = 4800) was 35.0 (15.0-81.0) years, 40.4% were symptomatic and 51.9% were assigned female at birth. MG positivity among all/symptomatic/asymptomatic participants was: 9.lo/o/12.3%/7.3% (male urine), 9.2%/ 12.1%/6.9% (clinician-collected vaginal swab), 11.2%/10.5%/1 l.8% (self-collected vaginal swab) and 10.2%/11.3%/9.2% (female urine). Co-infection results were as follows: CT+ /NG+ /MG+ (n = 2), CT+ /NG+ (n = 15), er+ /MG+ (n = 19) and NG+ /MG+ (n = 11) in male urine samples; CT+ /NG+ /MG+ (n = 5), CT+ /NG+ (n = 4), CT+ /MG+ (n = 35) and NG+ /MG+ (n = 7) in vaginal samples; er+ /NG+ /MG+ (n = 3), CT+ /NG+ (n = 3), CT+ /MG+ (n = 27) and NG+ /MG+ (n = 6) in female urine samples. Conclusions: In this US-based population, rates of MG positivity were high and MG co-infection with CT and/or NG was common. The ability to detect MG may facilitate improved antimicrobial stewardship by supporting early treatment optimisation, in addition to reducing onward MG transmission. Co-infection frequency strongly supports multiplex testing.
Volume
21
Issue
4
First Page
38
