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Mycoplasma penetrans urethritis in men. A case-control study
Luis Piñeiro1, Pedro Idigoras1, Ayla Manzanal1
1Department of Microbiology, Donostia University Hospital, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, OSI Donostialdea, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastián, Spain.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|April 3, 2025
Summary
Mycoplasma penetrans is linked to unexplained urethritis in men, particularly among men who have sex with men. Detecting this emerging pathogen can improve diagnosis for non-gonococcal urethritis cases.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Urology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Many urethritis cases lack a definitive microbiological diagnosis.
- Mycoplasma penetrans is an emerging pathogen implicated in urethritis, especially in men who have sex with men (MSM) and individuals with HIV.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between Mycoplasma penetrans and idiopathic urethritis in men.
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of detecting M. penetrans in unexplained urethritis cases.
Main Methods:
- Urethral samples from men were analyzed for M. penetrans using in-house real-time PCR.
- Comparison between 55 cases of idiopathic urethritis and control groups (102 with identified urethritis, 91 healthy controls).
- Standard techniques (gram stain, culture, PCR, serology) were used for other STIs.
Main Results:
- M. penetrans DNA was detected in 12.7% of idiopathic urethritis cases.
- No M. penetrans was found in any control group (p < 0.001).
- M. penetrans-positive individuals were not HIV-infected; six were MSM.
Conclusions:
- Results indicate a significant association between M. penetrans infection and urethritis in men.
- Detecting M. penetrans could help diagnose cases of idiopathic urethritis.
- This finding may improve diagnostic yield in non-gonococcal urethritis.
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