Mycoplasma genitalium: prevalence and behavioural risk factors in the general population.
BACKGROUND
Mycoplasma genitalium has been shown to cause urethritis in men and cervicitis in women and may also be a causative agent in female infertility.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of urogenital M genitalium infection and identify sexual behavioural risk factors in the general population.


METHODS
Participating individuals were 731 men and 921 women aged 21-23 years and not seeking the healthcare system because of symptoms. They answered questionnaires on sexual behaviour and provided samples for M genitalium testing.


RESULTS
In women aged 21-23 years, the prevalence of infection was 2.3% (21/921) and in men of the same age it was 1.1% (8/731). For both sexes, an increasing number of partners was associated with a greater chance of being infected. Among women a shorter duration of a steady relationship and having a partner with symptoms was associated with being infected, and for men younger age at first intercourse was associated with M genitalium infection.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the prevalence of infection in the general population is too low for population-based screening. However, the development of test algorithms based on behavioural risk factors is a promising alternative.
Andersen
Berit
B
Research Unit for General Practice, Vennelyst Boulevard 6, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. ba@alm.au.dk
Sokolowski
Ineta
I
Østergaard
Lars
L
Kjølseth Møller
Jens
J
Olesen
Frede
F
Jensen
Jørgen Skov
JS
D000328:Adult; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D045704:Mycoplasma genitalium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014526:Urethritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002575:Uterine Cervicitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology