Facts About Mycoplasma Genitalium
- Mycoplasma genitalium is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection
- The symptoms of Mycoplasma genitalium are the same as for Chlamydia
- = Pain on urination and increased vaginal discharge
- The treatment of Mycoplasma genitalium are antibiotics, for longer than the chlamydia
- It is important to partner tracing, if you have been diagnosed with infection with the bacterium
What is infection with Mycoplasma genitalium ?
The bacterium Mycoplasma genitalium was isolated for the first time in 1980. Our knowledge of this bacterium, the genes and diseases that can lead to, is presently limited. However, it seems that M. genitalium is an important cause of urinrørskatar (urethritis) in both men and women.
The bacterium is also found in people without symptoms.
How common is infection with Mycoplasma genitalium ?
M. genitalium were found in 10-45% of men with urethritis, where one could not detect gonorrhea or chlamydia. In women lacking reliable figures on incidence.
The bacterium Mycoplasma genitalium
Mycoplasma bacteria are among the smallest free-living bacteria which are found, and they are very difficult to isolate in culture.
Mycoplasma is a so-called intracellular bacteria, ie it penetrates and lives in the body’s cells.
Mycoplasma bacteria also differs from other bacteria in that they lack a cell wall. This means that there are many antibiotics that do not work on them, for example, penicillin.
The bacterium appears to sexually-transmitted as easily as chlamydia, and is today considered as the cause of sexually transmissible infection.
Once it was thought that M. genitalium performed together with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis , but recent research shows that it can act independently of the chlamydia bacterium.
What are the symptoms of Mycoplasma genitalium ?
In men, infection with M. genitalium cause urethritis symptoms, that is, pain when urinating and vaginal discharge. The bacteria can also cause chronic or recurrent. It has so far not clear to what extent M. genitalium is the cause of complications such as inflammation of the epididymis ( epididymitis ), inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis) or arthritis (reactive arthritis ).
In women, M. genitalium detected by urinrørskatar and cervical inflammation ( cervicitis ). The genes in women is pain when urinating, and often more vaginal discharge than usual.
It has also been seen that the bacterium can lead to infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes.
What symptoms should pay particular attention to?
Pain when urinating and vaginal discharge, especially if the infection by Chlamydia is excluded.
How is it diagnosed?
If symptoms of urinrørskatar doctor will traditionally examine the incidence of gonorrhea and chlamydia ( man, woman ). A sample is taken from the urethra and / or a urine sample. If these tests are negative, but you continue to have discomfort, it may be appropriate to test for M. genitalium .
The test for M. genitalium is a urine sample or smear from the urethra. The first 10-20 ml of an aliquot of urine is the best material.
The sample is sent to Statens Serum Institut.
In women with vaginal discharge may be appropriate to take a sample with a swab of the vagina or cervix.
What is the treatment?
There given tablet treatment with azithromycin, in rare cases with moxifloxacin.
After Checking with new urine sample and possibly sample from the vagina should be done 4-5 weeks after treatment.
How is langtidudsigterne?
The prognosis is good with proper treatment.
The risk of complications appears to be very small.
How do I avoid or aggravate infection with Mycoplasma genitalium ?
Use of condoms protects against M. genitalium.