Mycoplasma genitalium infection and persistence in a cohort of female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to assess the risk factors for and persistence of Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) in a highly exposed female population in Kenya.


METHODS
Two hundred fifty-eight sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya, 18 to 35 years of age, were enrolled. Every 2 months, cervical samples were collected for MG, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) testing by polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
At enrollment, 16% were infected with MG. Seventy-seven subjects acquired 107 MG infections, giving an incidence of 22.7 per 100 women-years. Incident CT (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.5-4.0), GC (HR = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.2-3.5), and HIV infection (adjusted HR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.3-3.7) were associated with an increased risk of MG. Seventeen percent, 9%, and 21% of MG infections persisted 3, 5, and >or=7 months, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The high incidence of MG, greater than that for both CT (14.0%) and GC (8%), association with common sexually transmitted infection risk factors, and persistence in the female genital tract supports its role as a common sexually transmitted infection in Kenyan women.
Cohen
Craig R
CR
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, CA, USA. ccohen@globalhealth.ucsf.edu
Nosek
Marcianna
M
Meier
Amalia
A
Astete
Sabina G
SG
Iverson-Cabral
Stefanie
S
Mugo
Nelly R
NR
Totten
Patricia A
PA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D045704:Mycoplasma genitalium / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012008:Recurrence; D011477:Sex Work; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014626:Vaginal Smears
D004269:DNA, Bacterial