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. 2005 Feb;81(1):67–72. doi: 10.1136/sti.2003.009100

Mycoplasma genitalium: an organism commonly associated with cervicitis among west African sex workers

J Pepin 1, A Labbe 1, N Khonde 1, S Deslandes 1, M Alary 1, A Dzokoto 1, C Asamoah-Adu 1, H Meda 1, E Frost 1
PMCID: PMC1763741  PMID: 15681727

Abstract

Objectives: To identify the contribution of Mycoplasma genitalium to the aetiology of cervicitis in sub-Saharan Africa and its relative importance in the overall burden of sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers (FSW).

Methods: The study population consisted of FSW recruited in Ghana and Bénin during the initial visit of a randomised controlled trial. A questionnaire was administered, a pelvic examination carried out, and cervical samples obtained for detection of M genitalium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis. Clinical signs potentially indicating cervicitis were cervical discharge, pus on the cervical swab, bleeding after sampling, and inflammatory cervix.

Results: Among 826 FSW, 26.3% were infected with M genitalium. N gonorrhoeae was strongly and independently associated with each of the four signs of cervicitis (adjusted odds ratios (AOR): 4.1 to 6.0). The AOR for C trachomatis were intermediate (1.3–4.1) and the AOR for M genitalium were lower (between 1.6 and 1.8) but statistically significant (p⩽0.05) for each sign.

Conclusions: M genitalium is weakly associated with signs of cervicitis in west African FSW but is highly prevalent.

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Selected References

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