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Association of Mycoplasma genitalium with nongonococcal urethritis in heterosexual men

P A Totten1, M A Schwartz, K E Sjöström

  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. patotten@u.washington.edu

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|December 20, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Mycoplasma genitalium is a significant cause of nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) in men. This study found M. genitalium significantly increases the risk of NGU, highlighting its role as a key urethral pathogen.

Area of Science:

  • Urology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Urethritis is a common condition, but the causative agents are often unidentified.
  • Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are known pathogens, yet do not explain most cases of nongonococcal urethritis (NGU).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association of Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and other potential pathogens with acute NGU in heterosexual men.
  • To determine the etiological role of M. genitalium in NGU.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted with heterosexual men presenting to an urban sexually transmitted diseases clinic.
  • Detection of pathogens was performed using laboratory diagnostic methods.
  • Multivariate analyses controlled for age, race, prior urethritis history, and chlamydial infection.

Main Results:

  • Mycoplasma genitalium was detected in 22% of NGU cases versus 4% of controls (P<.01).
  • Chlamydia trachomatis was detected in 30% of NGU cases versus 3% of controls (P<.01).
  • M. genitalium was associated with a 6.5-fold increased risk of urethritis, independent of chlamydial infection.

Conclusions:

  • Mycoplasma genitalium plays a significant role in the etiology of acute nongonococcal urethritis.
  • Ureaplasma urealyticum was not found to be associated with NGU.
  • Further research and clinical consideration of M. genitalium as a cause of NGU are warranted.

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