Detection of Mycoplasma genitalium in women with laparoscopically diagnosed acute salpingitis.
OBJECTIVE
Mycoplasma genitalium has been associated with cervicitis, endometritis, and tubal factor infertility. Because the ability of this bacterium to ascend and infect the fallopian tube remains undefined, we performed an investigation to determine the prevalence of M genitalium in fallopian tube, endometrial, and cervical specimens from women laparoscopically diagnosed with acute salpingitis in Nairobi, Kenya.


METHODS
Women presenting with pelvic inflammatory disease were laparoscopically diagnosed with salpingitis. Infection with M genitalium in genital specimens was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).


RESULTS
Of 123 subjects with acute salpingitis, M genitalium was detected by PCR in the cervix and/or endometrium in nine (7%) participants, and in a single fallopian tube specimen. In addition, those infected with M genitalium were more often HIV infected than women not infected by M genitalium (seven of nine (78%) v 42 of 114 (37%), p<0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
M genitalium is able to ascend into the fallopian tube, but its association with tubal pathology requires further investigation.
Cohen
C R
CR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA. ccohen@psg.ucsf.edu
Mugo
N R
NR
Astete
S G
SG
Odondo
R
R
Manhart
L E
LE
Kiehlbauch
J A
JA
Stamm
W E
WE
Waiyaki
P G
PG
Totten
P A
PA
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D045704:Mycoplasma genitalium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012488:Salpingitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology