The prevalence of urethral and rectal Mycoplasma genitalium among men who have sex with men in China, a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI), very little information regarding the prevalence of MG among MSM (men who have sex with men) is available in China. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of MG among MSM in the city of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China, and to identify the potential risk factors associated with MG infection in this population.MethodsBetween January and May 2010, a total of 409 MSM were recruited in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. An anonymous questionnaire was used to collect information regarding their sociological and sexual behaviors. In addition, their first-void urine (FVU) samples and rectal swabs were collected for PCR-based MG testing.ResultsAmong the 406 FVU and 405 rectal swab samples were collected from 409 MSM, the overall MG prevalence was 8.1% (33/406, 95% CI 5.7%-10.6%), with a FVU positivity of 3.4% (95% CI 1.7%-5.4%) and a rectal positivity of 5.4% (95% CI 3.5%-7.7%). Using both univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses, urethral MG infection was significantly associated with having more heterosexual behaviors (AOR 7.16, 95% CI 1.89-27.13), and with having unprotected anal intercourse in the past six months (AOR 4.80, 95% CI 1.40-16.47). Rectal MG infection was significantly associated with HIV infection based on univariate logistic regression analysis (OR = 4.49, 95% CI 1.18-17.12).ConclusionsIn this study, we investigated the prevalence of MG infection in the population of interest, as determined from both urethral and rectal specimen. We showed that MG was more prevalent in MSM who had bisexual behaviors compared to those who engaged only in homosexual behaviors. Further work is needed to establish the mode of MG transmission and to identify its role in HIV transmission. Meanwhile, more attention should be paid to MG infection among MSMs, and especially bisexual MSMs, which might have critical implications for effective HIV/STD control in China.

Ureaplasma parvum and Mycoplasma genitalium are found to be significantly associated with microscopy-confirmed urethritis in a routine genitourinary medicine setting

“…Studies are limited worldwide in assessing the prevalence of M. genitalium in the MSM population. 40 In Northern Ireland, figures were unavailable before this study as routine testing is not undertaken for M. genitalium in either the MSM nor non-MSM populations. However, there is a growing body of evidence for its role in NCNGU.…”

STI in times of PrEP: high prevalence of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and mycoplasma at different anatomic sites in men who have sex with men in Germany

“…A meta-analysis found much lower prevalence estimates for MSM of 3.2% in five community-based studies from Australia and Central America and 3.7% in four clinic-based studies from Europe and the US [35]. Other studies found MG prevalences between 2.0 and 13.4%, and differed in the number of tested sites, clinical status, and reported sexual behavior [36][37][38][39][40][41][42].…”

“…HIV-participants were significantly younger than HIV+ MSM (median 35 IQR [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43] vs. 44 [35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52], p < 0.01) and less likely to be born in Germany (67.2% vs. 80.8%, p < 0.01), but they were more likely to have acquired university-entrance diploma (74.6% vs. 54.4%, p < 0.01). The median number of male sex partners was significantly higher in HIV-MSM than in HIV+ (6 [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] vs. 4 [1][2][3][4]…”

Opportunities and pitfalls of molecular testing for detecting sexually transmitted pathogens

“…Since its discovery in 1980 from men with nongonococcal urethritis (NGU), 56 it has now been demonstrated to be a major causative agent of non-chlamydial NGU as well as cervicitis, and has been associated with other conditions such as endometritis, PID and tubal factor infertility in women, and balanoposthitis in men. 61 Rectal infection may also prove to be a reservoir for undiagnosed M. genitalium, as has been seen with C. trachomatis. 61 Rectal infection may also prove to be a reservoir for undiagnosed M. genitalium, as has been seen with C. trachomatis.…”