[Microbiological diagnosis of mycoplasma infections]

Comparison of the Aptima MG and Cobas TV/MG tests for the detection of Mycoplasma genitalium in urogenital and extragenital samples

BACKGROUND

Mycoplasma genitalium (M. genitalium) is an emerging sexually transmitted pathogen of increasing importance. The objective of this study was to compare two tests for the detection of M. genitalium; the Aptima® MG test (Hologic® Inc., San Diego, CA) and the Cobas® TV/MG test (Roche® Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany).

METHODS

This is a prospective descriptive study where a total of 489 genital and extragenital samples were analyzed in parallel and in random order by both systems. The samples were collected from patients attending the Sexually Transmitted Infections Center in Seville and the Infectious Diseases consultation of the Virgen de Valme Hospital.

RESULTS

The overall agreement between both trials was very good (k > 0.91). The sensitivity and specificity of the Aptima® MG test were 100% and 98.7% respectively for the Cobas® TV/MG test.

CONCLUSION

Both systems showed excellent performance for the detection of M. genitalium.

[Clinical implications of the genus Mycoplasma]

Dentro del género Mycoplasma, las especies que tradicionalmente se han relacionado con cuadros infecciosos han sido principalmente M. pneumoniae, M. genitalium, M. hominis o U. urealyticum. Sin embargo, existen otras muchas que están implicadas y, que muchas veces, son desconocidas para los profesionales sanitarios. El objetivo de esta revisión es identificar todas las especies del género Mycoplasma que se han aislado en el hombre y determinar su participación en la patología infecciosa humana.

Chlamydia trachomatis and Genital Mycoplasmas: Pathogens with an Impact on Human Reproductive Health

The most prevalent, curable sexually important diseases are those caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) and genital mycoplasmas. An important characteristic of these infections is their ability to cause long-term sequels in upper genital tract, thus potentially affecting the reproductive health in both sexes. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), tubal factor infertility (TFI), and ectopic pregnancy (EP) are well documented complications of C. trachomatis infection in women. The role of genital mycoplasmas in development of PID, TFI, and EP requires further evaluation, but growing evidence supports a significant role for these in the pathogenesis of chorioamnionitis, premature membrane rupture, and preterm labor in pregnant woman. Both C. trachomatis and genital mycoplasmas can affect the quality of sperm and possibly influence the fertility of men. For the purpose of this paper, basic, epidemiologic, clinical, therapeutic, and public health issue of these infections were reviewed and discussed, focusing on their impact on human reproductive health.