title: Low prevalence  of Mycoplasma genitalium in patients examined for Chlamydia trachomatis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is increasing interest in Mycoplasma genitalium as a sexually transmissible pathogen. The clinical picture resembles that of Chlamydia trachomatis infection, but the natural course has not yet been well defined. There are no guidelines regarding who should be examined for M. genitalium. Most of the prevalence studies have been carried out in patients attending clinics for sexually transmissible diseases. We have examined the prevalence in samples sent from general practice requesting analysis for C. trachomatis.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the period October 1 to December 31 2010, all samples sent to Molde Hospital, Norway, that queried C. trachomatis were examined also for M. genitalum. Both agents were examined using real time PCR. The PCR for C. trachomatis was performed using a CE labelled and IVD approved method from Roche. The PCR for M. genitalium was performed using an in-house method where the target gene is GAP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 950 patients were examined (Men n=225, women n=725). The prevalences of M. genitalium and C. trachomatis were 2.0 % and 10.0 % respectively (men 4.0 % and 15.1 %, women 1.4 % and 8.4 %).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because of the low prevalence, we recommend selection of patients for examination for M. genitalium. The difference in prevalence between the sexes can reflect different indications for sample taking.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorium for medisinsk mikrobiologi, Molde sjukehus. einar.nilsen@unn.no
authors.forename: Einar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nilsen
authors.forename: Einar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vik
authors.forename: Marie Aslaksen
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Røed
mesh_terms: D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D045704:Mycoplasma genitalium / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D018579:Patient Selection; D015995:Prevalence; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*