Mycoplasma Genitalium

Mycoplasma Genitalium is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Universally, research on this bacteria is still quite preliminary. It is caused by a bacterium called Mycoplasma Genitalium. Ongoing research investigates the performance of the Colli-Pee^® in the detection and screening of Mycoplasma Genitalium.

Symptoms of Mycoplasma Genitalium
Prevention of Mycoplasma Genitalium
Detection of Mycoplasma Genitalium
Treatment of Mycoplasma Genitalium
Consequences of Mycoplasma Genitalium
Novosanis' research on Mycoplasma Genitalium and the Colli-Pee device

Symptoms of Mycoplasma Genitalium

Mycoplasma Genitalium typically causes inflammation of the urethra. This condition is known as urethritis.

The most common symptom of this infection include:

Genital discharge
Vaginal itching
Pain during sexual intercourse (for women)

Prevention of Mycoplasma Genitalium

Like most STIs, Mycoplasma Genitalium infections can be prevented by using a condom during sexual contact. A condom offers good protection against Mycoplasma Genitalium infections, since the bacteria are present in vaginal or penile discharge.

Next to primary prevention, screening can increase STI detection rate and prevent further infection in asymptomatic cases. The Colli-Pee^® can significantly improve these types of screening programs:

With Colli-Pee^®, the collection of first-void urine is assured, making the urine sample more reliable for both female and male patients
The first-void urine collector is easy-to-use
Home-based sampling can reduce feelings of shame connected to STI testing and urine collection in the doctor's office. With Colli-Pee^®, urine samples can be obtained in the home environment.

Detection of Mycoplasma Genitalium

Mycoplasma Genitalium can be detected by the examination of a swab specimen (from the cervix for women or from the urethra for men) taken by a clinician, by self-collected vaginal swabs, or by voided urine (1).

The urine sample for detection of Mycoplasma Genitalium has to consist of first-void urine (the first part of the urine stream), as this part of the urine stream contains more DNA particles than other part, making the clinical detection of Mycoplasma Genitalium more sensitive.

Treatment of Mycoplasma Genitalium

Mycoplasma Genitalium infections are treated with antibiotics (2).

Consequences of Mycoplasma Genitalium

If left untreated, Mycoplasma Genitalium can have serious complications for both men and women:

It can weaken the immune system to such an extent that the infected person becomes more susceptible to other infections
Mycoplasma Genitalium may elicit co-infection with Chlamydia, which in consequence may cause ectopic pregnancies
The risk of infertility can increase during active infections
There is a chance that internal organs get infected (3)

Novosanis' research on Mycoplasma Genitalium and the Colli-Pee device

During an evaluation of home based samples collected with Colli-Pee^® versus a clinic-based urine collection cup, 11 additional infections were found in home-based samples collected with Colli-Pee^®. 3 Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), 2 Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), 6 Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) infections, compared to the clinic-collected samples. A total of three STIs (1 CT and 2 MG infections) were not detected in the home-based sample (4).

References:

Published on 16/06/17 (Last updated on 20/07//22)
Author: Novosanis team (reviewed by Vanessa Vankerckhoven)