Mycoplasma genitalium: an organism commonly associated with cervicitis among west African sex workers.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the contribution of Mycoplasma genitalium to the aetiology of cervicitis in sub-Saharan Africa and its relative importance in the overall burden of sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers (FSW).


METHODS
The study population consisted of FSW recruited in Ghana and Benin during the initial visit of a randomised controlled trial. A questionnaire was administered, a pelvic examination carried out, and cervical samples obtained for detection of M genitalium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis. Clinical signs potentially indicating cervicitis were cervical discharge, pus on the cervical swab, bleeding after sampling, and inflammatory cervix.


RESULTS
Among 826 FSW, 26.3% were infected with M genitalium. N gonorrhoeae was strongly and independently associated with each of the four signs of cervicitis (adjusted odds ratios (AOR): 4.1 to 6.0). The AOR for C trachomatis were intermediate (1.3-4.1) and the AOR for M genitalium were lower (between 1.6 and 1.8) but statistically significant (p< or =0.05) for each sign.


CONCLUSIONS
M genitalium is weakly associated with signs of cervicitis in west African FSW but is highly prevalent.
Pépin
J
J
Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada. jacques.pepin@usherbrooke.ca
Labbé
A-C
AC
Khonde
N
N
Deslandes
S
S
Alary
M
M
Dzokoto
A
A
Asamoah-Adu
C
C
Méda
H
H
Frost
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001541:Benin / Q000453:epidemiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D045704:Mycoplasma genitalium; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work; D014245:Trichomonas Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D002575:Uterine Cervicitis / Q000382:microbiology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents