Article Text
Abstract
Background The Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) infection is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) with often asymptomatic course and increasing antibiotic resistance. One of the risk groups with a high prevalence are men, having sex with men (MSM). To our knowledge we are the first clinic in Germany to test routinely for MG.
Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of all data from MG-tested patients (rectal, pharyngeal and urethral swabs and urine samples) between 2013 and 2017. Due to an absence of consequent test of cure (TOC), an in-depth analysis was performed solely on the samples collected by the first visit of selected patient.
Results A total of 32,302 probes from 7,474 patients were systematically analyzed. Over 5 years we continuously increased testing rates from 3,362 probes (2013) to 11,845 probes (2017). The majority of patients were male (97.0%), with the mean age of 34.7 years. Most of the patients identified themselves as MSM. Due to patient discomfort, the tests for urethral infection were successively switched from urethral swab to urine probe (2013, 59.6% vs 2017, 88.2%). The mean prevalence appeared relatively stable and peaked in 2014 (5.2%). The majority of infections were rectal (6.7%) and urethral (4.8%). Pharyngeal infections were rarely identified (1.0%). The urethral swabs appeared as more sensitive when compared to urine probes (5.5% vs 4.1%). A total of 3,819 (51.1%) patients never received a TOC.
Conclusion The presented data represent the largest epidemiological surveillance of MG in Germany to date. The prevalence of MG appeared stable over 5 years. Probably due to many asymptomatic courses the majority of patients did not received a TOC, making them possible vectors in case of treatment failure. Due to increased vulnerability for HIV-acquisition in persons with a MG-infection, we recommend routine rectal tests in MSM.
Disclosure No significant relationships.