title: A cross-sectional study of Mycoplasma genitalium infection and correlates in women undergoing population-based screening or clinic-based testing for Chlamydia infection in London.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine Mycoplasma genitalium infection and correlates among young women undergoing population-based screening or clinic-based testing for Chlamydia infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) and two London sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  2441 women aged 15-64 years who participated in the NCSP and 2172 women who attended two London STI clinics over a 4-month period in 2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  (1) M genitalium prevalence in defined populations (%). (2) Age-adjusted ORs (aORs) for correlates of M genitalium infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall frequency of M genitalium and Chlamydia trachomatis was 3% and 5.4%, respectively. Co-infection was relatively uncommon (0.5% of all women); however 9% of women with C trachomatis also had M genitalium infection. M genitalium was more frequently detected in swab than urine samples (3.9 vs 1.3%, p<0.001) with a significantly higher mean bacterial load (p ≤ 0.001). Among NCSP participants, M genitalium was significantly more likely to be diagnosed in women of black/black British ethnicity (aOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 4.5, p=0.01). M genitalium and C trachomatis and were both significantly associated with multiple sexual partners in the past year (aOR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3 to 4.4, p=0.01 and aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.4 to 2.8, p<0.01). Among STI clinic attendees, M genitalium was more common in women who were less than 25 years in age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  M genitalium is a relatively common infection among young women in London. It is significantly more likely to be detected in vulvovaginal swabs than in urine samples. Co-infection with Chlamydia is uncommon. The clinical effectiveness of testing and treatment strategies for M genitalium needs further investigation.
authors: Research Department of Reproductive Medicine, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, UK.
authors: H F
authors: HF
authors: Svenstrup
authors: S S
authors: SS
authors: Dave
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Carder
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Grant
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Morris-Jones
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Kidd
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Stephenson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D060085:Coinfection / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D045704:Mycoplasma genitalium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners
keywords: Epidemiology; Genitourinary Medicine; Microbiology