Mycoplasma genitalium infection and persistence in a cohort of female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya

Sex Transm Dis. 2007 May;34(5):274-9. doi: 10.1097/01.olq.0000237860.61298.54.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the risk factors for and persistence of Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) in a highly exposed female population in Kenya.

Study design: Two hundred fifty-eight sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya, 18 to 35 years of age, were enrolled. Every 2 months, cervical samples were collected for MG, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) testing by polymerase chain reaction.

Results: At enrollment, 16% were infected with MG. Seventy-seven subjects acquired 107 MG infections, giving an incidence of 22.7 per 100 women-years. Incident CT (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.5-4.0), GC (HR = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.2-3.5), and HIV infection (adjusted HR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.3-3.7) were associated with an increased risk of MG. Seventeen percent, 9%, and 21% of MG infections persisted 3, 5, and >or=7 months, respectively.

Conclusion: The high incidence of MG, greater than that for both CT (14.0%) and GC (8%), association with common sexually transmitted infection risk factors, and persistence in the female genital tract supports its role as a common sexually transmitted infection in Kenyan women.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Base Sequence
  • Chlamydia Infections / epidemiology
  • Chlamydia Infections / etiology
  • Chlamydia Infections / microbiology
  • Chlamydia Infections / prevention & control
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / isolation & purification*
  • Cohort Studies
  • DNA, Bacterial / analysis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Kenya / epidemiology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mycoplasma Infections / epidemiology
  • Mycoplasma Infections / etiology
  • Mycoplasma Infections / microbiology
  • Mycoplasma Infections / pathology
  • Mycoplasma Infections / prevention & control
  • Mycoplasma genitalium / genetics
  • Mycoplasma genitalium / isolation & purification*
  • Recurrence
  • Sex Work*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / etiology
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / microbiology
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / pathology
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / prevention & control
  • Vaginal Smears

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial