Mycoplasma genitalium explained #2
- 3 years ago
I hope you enjoy this video about mycoplasma genitalium, this is the 47th video of the explained series.
Mycoplasma genitalium (M gen) is the smallest known bacterium that can replicate itself. It typically invades the cells lining the genital and urinary tracts (epithelial cells) but has also been found in these cells in the rectum (end of the bowel) and lungs.
In a laboratory setting, it can take weeks or months to grow and humans can be infected for years. It is not known how long it takes for a person to become infected after they've been exposed to the bacteria.
Infection occurs through genital-to-genital or genital-to-rectal contact (mainly through unprotected sex). You're less likely to catch it through oral sex.
It is more common in people of non-white ethnicity, smokers, and those with a greater number of sexual partners. It is often present at the same time as other infections such as chlamydia. Rates are higher in young people of both sexes, and in older age groups of men. It is thought to affect 1% to 2% of the general population, and anywhere between 4% and 38% of people who attend STI clinics.
An MG infection often goes unnoticed, as most people have no symptoms.
Women can experience:
vaginal discharge
pelvic pain
bleeding after intercourse
bleeding between periods
In men symptoms include:
pain on urinating
discharge from the urethra (tube through which urine passes out of the penis)
penile irritation and pain
MG is diagnosed by carrying out a simple urine test or genital swab.
For men, tests are carried out on a urine sample collected first thing in the morning, when it's likely the urine is most concentrated with bacteria. For women, it's best to carry out swabs of the vulva, vagina and cervix.
People are advised to avoid sexual intercourse until they and their partner have been treated – ideally waiting until 5 weeks after the start of treatment, when a test has shown they are clear of the MG bacteria.
The following antibiotics are recommended by the BASHH:
azithromycin (one large dose or smaller doses over 3 to 5 days)
doxycycline for 7 days followed by azithromycin for 3 days
for difficult cases moxifloxacin for ~14 days is used
Global resistance to the most widely used antibiotic, azithromycin, has reached from 30% to 100%. This is estimated at 40% in the UK but this may be biased by reliance on data from STI clinics of people who have failed to respond to treatment. Moxifloxacin still works well in Europe, but resistance is increasing in Asia-Pacific where it is used more commonly. To prevent resistance occurring in Europe, moxifloxacin is used sparingly. With only doxycycline (which is effective in just 30% to 40% of cases) pristinamycin and minocycline left as alternative treatments for MG.
If you have symptoms - get checked out by your local sexual health clinic.
If you have no symptoms but change of partner then get a regular STI screen from your local sexual health center or from your local doctor.
enjoy
Mycoplasma genitalium (M gen) is the smallest known bacterium that can replicate itself. It typically invades the cells lining the genital and urinary tracts (epithelial cells) but has also been found in these cells in the rectum (end of the bowel) and lungs.
In a laboratory setting, it can take weeks or months to grow and humans can be infected for years. It is not known how long it takes for a person to become infected after they've been exposed to the bacteria.
Infection occurs through genital-to-genital or genital-to-rectal contact (mainly through unprotected sex). You're less likely to catch it through oral sex.
It is more common in people of non-white ethnicity, smokers, and those with a greater number of sexual partners. It is often present at the same time as other infections such as chlamydia. Rates are higher in young people of both sexes, and in older age groups of men. It is thought to affect 1% to 2% of the general population, and anywhere between 4% and 38% of people who attend STI clinics.
An MG infection often goes unnoticed, as most people have no symptoms.
Women can experience:
vaginal discharge
pelvic pain
bleeding after intercourse
bleeding between periods
In men symptoms include:
pain on urinating
discharge from the urethra (tube through which urine passes out of the penis)
penile irritation and pain
MG is diagnosed by carrying out a simple urine test or genital swab.
For men, tests are carried out on a urine sample collected first thing in the morning, when it's likely the urine is most concentrated with bacteria. For women, it's best to carry out swabs of the vulva, vagina and cervix.
People are advised to avoid sexual intercourse until they and their partner have been treated – ideally waiting until 5 weeks after the start of treatment, when a test has shown they are clear of the MG bacteria.
The following antibiotics are recommended by the BASHH:
azithromycin (one large dose or smaller doses over 3 to 5 days)
doxycycline for 7 days followed by azithromycin for 3 days
for difficult cases moxifloxacin for ~14 days is used
Global resistance to the most widely used antibiotic, azithromycin, has reached from 30% to 100%. This is estimated at 40% in the UK but this may be biased by reliance on data from STI clinics of people who have failed to respond to treatment. Moxifloxacin still works well in Europe, but resistance is increasing in Asia-Pacific where it is used more commonly. To prevent resistance occurring in Europe, moxifloxacin is used sparingly. With only doxycycline (which is effective in just 30% to 40% of cases) pristinamycin and minocycline left as alternative treatments for MG.
If you have symptoms - get checked out by your local sexual health clinic.
If you have no symptoms but change of partner then get a regular STI screen from your local sexual health center or from your local doctor.
enjoy