About Mycoplasma genitalium
Mycoplasma genitalium is a pathogenic microorganism belonging to the class of motile bacteria. M. genitalium exhibits tropism for columnar epithelium and can infect the mucous membranes of the urethra, cervical canal, and fallopian tubes. Like other members of the Mycoplasma genus, M. genitalium lacks a cell wall, rendering it resistant to antibacterial drugs that target peptidoglycan synthesis, such as penicillins, cephalosporins, and other beta-lactam antibiotics.
Key virulence factors of M. genitalium include adhesins, protease, and phospholipase. M. genitalium possesses a terminal organelle composed of numerous cytoskeletal proteins, heat shock proteins, metabolic enzymes, and cell adhesion proteins, one of which is the P140 adhesin, also known as the MgPa adhesin. This adhesin facilitates attachment, invasion of epithelial cells, and stimulation of the immune response. The P110 adhesin is an immunodominant protein of M. genitalium, and its binding to sialic acid oligosaccharides activates adhesion to epithelial cells. The bacteria exhibit a high degree of genetic variability, which aids in evading the host's immune response.
In men, M. genitalium is a causative agent of non-gonococcal urethritis, which can be accompanied by symptoms such as urethral discharge, itching, a burning sensation and discomfort in the urethral area, pain during sexual intercourse, frequent urination, and urinary urgency (if the inflammatory process spreads proximally). The etiological role of M. genitalium in the development of epididymitis and prostatitis is debated, but conclusive evidence has not been established to date.
In women, the infection is often asymptomatic and is characterized by the occurrence of urethritis and cervicitis. The most common clinical manifestations include urethral discharge, itching, burning, pain during urination and sexual intercourse, acyclic vaginal bleeding, and discomfort or pain in the lower abdominal region. In cases of ascending infection, the development of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is possible.
PID associated with M. genitalium is characterized by fewer inflammatory markers and less pronounced clinical symptoms, complicating timely diagnosis and increasing the risk of complications such as infertility, miscarriage, adhesions, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, and ectopic pregnancy.
PCR testing enables etiological and differential diagnosis within a short timeframe, even in asymptomatic cases, facilitates the timely prescription of causal therapy, and helps prevent the development of complications and further spread of the infection.
Indications
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Signs of urogenital tract inflammatory process -
Redness, itching, swelling -
Unpleasant odor -
Infertility -
Preconception examination, including preparation for IVF -
Pelvic surgery -
STIs in sexual partner -
Assessment of therapy efficacy and treatment outcomes
Mycoplasma genitalium
The Mycoplasma genitalium test is designed for Mycoplasma genitalium DNA detection from human biological material by real-time PCR.
Biomaterial: epithelial cell swabs from urogenital tract, urine, prostate fluid, ejaculate.
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Please note that the specialists of the DNA Technology company provide consultations exclusively to medical specialists on the application and research features. Requests related to the appointment, delivery, or interpretation of tests are not considered. For relevant information, we recommend contacting the laboratory directly.