New Sex-Related Infection Passes Gonorrhea

New Sex-Related Infection Passes Gonorrhea

Mycoplasma genitalium, an STD first identified in the 1980s, has now surpassed gonorrhea in prevalence among US young people, a new study reports.

Researchers at the University of Washington-Seattle tested 1,714 women and 1,218 men ages 18 to 27 who took part in Wave III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Mycoplasma genitalium was diagnosed in 1.0 percent of participants, gonorrhea in 0.4 percent, and chlamydia in 4.2 percent. Mycoplasma genitalium was found to be 11 times more common in persons living with a sex partner, seven times more common among blacks, and four times more common among those who used a condom at last vaginal intercourse.

Mycoplasma genitalium can cause inflammation of the urethra in men and inflammation of the cervix and uterine lining in women, possibly leading to infertility. Most cases are asymptomatic; none of the infected study participants reported any discharge.

Lead author Dr. Lisa Manhart said there are no commercial tests for the organism, and the authors noted it is not known "whether M. genitalium-infected persons require or benefit from treatment, and if so, what antimicrobial therapy should be recommended." Manhart said, "It is probably too soon to recommend widespread screening for M. genitalium."

The full report, "Mycoplasma genitalium Among Young Adults in the United States" An Emerging Sexually Transmitted Infection," was published in the American Journal of Public Health (2007;97(6):1118-1125).

Reuters (06.07.07):: Martha Kerr

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