Abstract
Background
Despite reports in the past few years that Americans are having less sex, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported in 2019 that sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases are at an all-time high in the United States. The CDC report included statistics on confirmed cases of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, but did not include data for Trichomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma genitalium. Although Trichomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma genitalium are generally recognized agents responsible for STI’s, there is limited prevalence data in the United States.
Methods
Herein we present STI prevalence and socio-demographic epidemiological data associated with patients enrolled in a multicenter STI study using the automated multiplex qualitative CE marked assay, Alinity m STI. The enrolled study population reflected a diverse number of participants with an approximately equal male to female ratio, prior STI history, single and married, education levels from primary to post-graduate, as well as different ethnicities.
Results
Participants in this study population who have previously been diagnosed with an STI had an overall Mycoplasma genitalium prevalence rate that was approximately double those who have not been previously diagnosed with an STI. Furthermore, the co-infection rate for Mycoplasma genitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis was as high as 2.5% for vaginal swab specimens with an overall Mycoplasma genitalium prevalence of 11.6%. The overall prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis in women was 12.3%. Neisseria gonorrhoeae had the lowest overall prevalence in men and women at 2.4%, and Chlamydia trachomatis at had an overall prevalence of 9.8%.
Conclusion
Mycoplasma genitalium infections are generally asymptomatic in both men and women that contributes to up to 35% of non-chlamydial non-gonococcal urethritis in men and linked to cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease in women. Left untreated or not accurately diagnosed, STIs can cause significant, serious long-term health consequences including sexual, reproductive, and psychological well-being that present an extensive challenge and burden to public health in the United States.
Disclosures
Jose Santiago, PhD, Abbott (Employee)
Prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis and Coinfection with Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the United States as Determined by the Aptima Trichomonas vaginalis Nucleic Acid Amplification Assay
