Article Text
Abstract
Background Currently, in Russia, the incidence of syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, urogenital herpes, and anogenital warts are officially registered. However, statistical records and reporting forms do not include mycoplasma infections (eg, Mycoplasma genitalium).
Methods The aim of the present study was to evaluate the detection rates of Chlamydia trachomatis and M genitalium infections in patients who had attended to STD clinics in Novosibirsk in 2009–2010. A total of 9208 and 13 006 patients were examined for M genitalium and C trachomatis, respectively, in different settings (antenatal clinics, hospitals, health centers, STI clinics). Both infections were tested in urethral and/or cervical swabs with nucleic acid amplification techniques (“Litex” and “DNA technology”, Russia).
Results The detection rates of M genitalium and C trachomatis had not changed over 2009 and 2010, accounting to 12.6–12.6%, and 12.9–13.0%, respectively. Coinfection was observed in only 0.55% of examinies. However, seasonal variations showed different patterns for these two infections (Abstract P1-S1.05 figure 1). Statistical analysis by month revealed that the highest rates of M genitalium were reported in February and March, and the lowest ones—in July. Monthly analysis found even distribution of infection with C trachomatis along a year, while the lowest incidence was found in July.
Conclusions The incidence rates of C trachomatis and M genitalium are approximately the same and account for 12–13% among men and women, equally. The combination of these infections is rare (0.55%). During 2009–2010, there are parallel trends in the detection of these two infections, but in September the reciprocal event was shown. This discrepancy may be due to the peculiarities of various microorganisms, and the clinical signs of the infection—chlamydia can cause non-gonococcal urethritis, which is the reason for examination, and mycoplasma infection is mainly symptomless. Nevertheless, a hypothesis of various patterns of infections prevalence around a year in northern countries (ie, Canada, Alaska, Scandinavia, Russia) needs further clarification. The post-holiday period (September–October) may be a crucial point in the activity of the infectious process.