Prevalence and Correlates of Mycoplasma genitalium Infections among Patients Attending a Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic in Guangdong, China a Cross-sectional Study
Abstract Background Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is known to cause urogenital tract infections and is associated with reproductive morbidity. Although MG has been reported across many regions and population groups, it is not yet routinely tested for in China. Our study contributes to current research by reporting the prevalence and correlates of MG for patients attending a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic in Guangdong from Jan 2017-May 2018.Methods Urethral (489 men) and endo-cervical (189 women) samples, blood samples, and patient histories (via questionnaires) were collected. Doctors clinically diagnosed anogenital warts (GW) during the examination (n=678). Presence of MG was tested using an in-house polymerase chain reaction. We also tested all participants for herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), syphilis and HIV. Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to evaluate factors associated with MG.Results MG was detected among 7.2% (n=49) of patients (7.4% men, 6.9% women). Of 629 heterosexual patients, the MG was detected in 7.5% (47/629), and of 49 MSM, MG was detected in 4.1% (2/49). Among MG-infected patients, 10.2% were co-infected with CT, 6.1% with NG, 8.2% with HSV-2, 4.1% with syphilis and 22.4% with GW. Among 152 symptomatic patients, the prevalence of MG was 12.5% (n=19, of whom 17 were men). Being symptomatic was statistically significant for MG infection [OR=2.2(1.3~3.8)].Conclusion MG is a relatively common infection among individuals attending an STI clinic in Guangdong province. To make MG testing available and routinely screen symptomatic patients with urinary and /or cervical discharge in STI clinics in China is essential.