Mycoplasma genitalium: An Emerging Cause of Sexually Transmitted Disease in Women
Author Information
Author(s): Chris L. McGowin, Colin Anderson-Smits
Primary Institution: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
Hypothesis
What is the association between Mycoplasma genitalium infections and reproductive tract diseases in women?
Conclusion
Mycoplasma genitalium is highly prevalent in both high- and low-risk populations and should be considered a significant cause of reproductive tract diseases in women.
Supporting Evidence
- Over 27,000 women from 48 published reports have been screened for M. genitalium urogenital infection.
- The overall prevalence of M. genitalium infection was found to be 7.3% in high-risk populations and 2.0% in low-risk populations.
- M. genitalium has been positively associated with urethritis, vaginal discharge, and cervicitis in several studies.
Takeaway
Mycoplasma genitalium is a germ that can make women sick in their reproductive parts, and it's more common than we thought.
Methodology
This review examines epidemiologic studies of M. genitalium infections in women to assess associations with reproductive tract disease.
Potential Biases
Potential biases include the exclusion of co-infections and variability in diagnostic criteria across studies.
Limitations
The review highlights the lack of a consistent case definition for cervicitis and the variability in study designs.
Participant Demographics
The study includes women from both high-risk and low-risk populations worldwide.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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