Prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium infection in women with bacterial vaginosis

Background Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition in reproductive-age women and is known to be positively associated with risk of acquisition of sexually transmitted infections (STI) such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. Mycoplasma genitalium is an emerging STI that has been linked to increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes and infertility. In the present study we sought to examine whether women diagnosed with symptomatic BV were at increased risk of having concurrent infection with Mycoplasma genitalium. Methods We used a novel PCR-based assay (ResistancePlus MG; SpeeDx Pty. Ltd., Sydney, Australia) to determine the prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium infection and 23S rRNA macrolide-resistance mediating mutations (MRMM) in a cohort of 1532 women presenting with symptoms of vaginitis. Results M. genitalium was detected in 4.0% (62/1532) of samples with 37.1% (23/62) harboring MRMMs. The prevalence of M. genitalium infection in subjects with BV was significantly higher than in subjects with non-BV vaginitis (7.0% v 3.6%; OR = 1.97 (95% CI: 1.14-3.39). Conclusions Prevalence of M. genitalium infection is associated with BV in women with symptomatic vaginitis. Improved management of BV is needed as a component of STI prevention strategies.