Anorectal lymphogranuloma venereum among men who have sex with men: a 3-year nationwide survey, France, 2020 to 2022.

BackgroundIn France, lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) testing switched from universal to selective testing in 2016.AimTo investigate changes in LGV-affected populations, we performed a nationwide survey based on temporarily reinstated universal LGV testing from 2020 to 2022.MethodsEach year, during three consecutive months, laboratories voluntarily sent anorectal Chlamydia trachomatis-positive samples from men and women to the National Reference Centre for bacterial sexually transmitted infections. We collected patients' demographic, clinical and biological data. Genovars L of C. trachomatis were detected using real-time PCR. In LGV-positive samples, the ompA gene was sequenced.ResultsIn 2020, LGV positivity was 12.7% (146/1,147), 15.2% (138/907) in 2021 and 13.3% (151/1,137) in 2022 (p > 0.05). It occurred predominantly in men who have sex with men (MSM), with rare cases among transgender women. The proportion of HIV-negative individuals was higher than that of those living with HIV. Asymptomatic rectal LGV increased from 36.1% (44/122) in 2020 to 52.4% (66/126) in 2022 (p = 0.03). Among users of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), LGV positivity was 13.8% (49/354) in 2020, 15.6% (38/244) in 2021 and 10.9% (36/331) in 2022, and up to 50% reported no anorectal symptoms. Diversity of the LGV ompA genotypes in the Paris region increased during the survey period. An unexpectedly high number of ompA genotype L1 variant was reported in 2022.ConclusionIn rectal samples from MSM in France, LGV positivity was stable, but the proportion of asymptomatic cases increased in 2022. This underscores the need of universal LGV testing and the importance of continuous surveillance.

Improved transformation efficiency in Mycoplasma hominis enables disruption of the MIB-MIP system targeting human immunoglobulins.

The pathogenicity of Mycoplasma hominis is poorly understood, mainly due to the absence of efficient genetic tools. A polyethylene glycol-mediated transformation protocol was recently developed for the M. hominis reference strain M132 using the pMT85-Tet plasmid. The transformation efficiency remained low, hampering generation of a large mutant library. In this study, we improved transformation efficiency by designing M. hominis-specific pMT85 derivatives. Using the Gibson Assembly, the Enterococcus-derived tet(M) gene of the pMT85-Tet plasmid was replaced by that of a M. hominis clinical isolate. Next, the Spiroplasma-derived spiralin gene promoter driving tet(M) expression was substituted by one of three putative regulatory regions (RRs): the M. hominis arginine deiminase RR, the M. hominis elongation factor Tu RR, or the 68 bp SynMyco synthetic RR. SynMyco-based construction led to a 100-fold increase in transformation efficiency in M. hominis M132. This construct was also transformed into the M. hominis PG21 reference strain and three other clinical isolates. The transposon insertion locus was determined for 128 M132-transformants. The majority of the impacted coding sequences encoded lipoproteins and proteins involved in DNA repair or in gene transfer. One transposon integration site was in the mycoplasma immunoglobulin protease gene. Phenotypic characterization of the mutant showed complete disruption of the human antibody cleavage ability of the transformant. These results demonstrate that our M. hominis-optimized plasmid can be used to generate large random transposon insertion libraries, enabling future studies of the pathogenicity of M. hominis. IMPORTANCE Mycoplasma hominis is an opportunistic human pathogen, whose physiopathology is poorly understood and for which genetic tools for transposition mutagenesis have been unavailable for years. A PEG-mediated transformation protocol was developed using the pMT85-Tet plasmid, but the transformation efficiency remained low. We designed a modified pMT85-Tet plasmid suitable for M. hominis. The use of a synthetic regulatory region upstream of the antibiotic resistance marker led to a 100-fold increase in the transformation efficiency. The generation and characterization of large transposon mutagenesis mutant libraries will provide insight into M. hominis pathogenesis. We selected a transformant in which the transposon was integrated in the locus encoding the immunoglobulin cleavage system MIB-MIP. Phenotypic characterization showed that the wild-type strain has a functional MIB-MIP system, whereas the mutant strain had lost the ability to cleave human immunoglobulins.

Two cases of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection combining ceftriaxone-resistance and high-level azithromycin resistance, France, November 2022 and May 2023.

We report two extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) isolates combining high-level resistance to azithromycin and resistance to ceftriaxone, obtained in France from two heterosexual patients, one of whom returned from Cambodia. Whole genome sequencing identified MLST ST16406, the mosaic penA-60.001 which caused ceftriaxone resistance in the internationally spreading FC428 clone, and the A2059G mutation in the 23S rRNA gene. The NG isolates F93 and F94 were related to XDR isolates detected in Austria and the United Kingdom in 2022.

A Narrative Review of Experimental Assessment to Study Vascular Biomaterials Infections and Infectability.

Objective: Many experimental studies have been conducted to evaluate vascular and endovascular graft infections (VGEIs) and infectability in order to elaborate strategies to prevent or to treat their occurrence. A systematic literature search was conducted to collect and summarise key features of infection and infectability assessment techniques in VGEI experimental models. Methods: The literature search was conducted using the Medline and Cochrane databases, with no limit on the date of publication, until 10 August 2021. Ex vivo, in vitro, and in vivo animal studies on VGEIs, published in English or French, were selected. Cross references retrieved from selected articles on PubMed database were also included in the search. Data were collected on the techniques and the protocols performed for vascular graft infection and infectability assessment. Results: A total of 243 studies were included in the review: 55 in vitro studies, 169 animal studies, 17 combining the two models, and two ex vivo studies. Many experimental techniques were performed, with a lot of protocol discrepancies. The main experiments conducted were bacterial culture, with (n = 82 studies) or without sonication (n = 120), histopathology (n = 69), scanning electron microscopy (n = 36), and graft diffusion tests (n = 28). These techniques were used to answer different research questions corresponding to different graft infection steps, such as microbial adhesion and/or viability, biofilm biomass or organisation, human cell reaction, or antimicrobial activity. Conclusion: Many experimental tools are available to study VGEIs, but to improve their reproducibility and scientific reliability research protocols must be standardised and include sonication of grafts before microbiological culture. Moreover, the key role of the biofilm in VGEI physiopathology must be taken into account in future studies.

Prevalence of Mycoplasma penetrans in Urogenital Samples From Men Screened for Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Mycoplasma penetrans prevalence was assessed in urogenital samples from men screened for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Prevalence was 3.5% among men who have sex with men and 5.3% among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients, significantly higher than in HIV-negative individuals (0.4%, P = .0016). No association was found between M. penetrans and urogenital symptoms.

Prevalence of macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance-associated mutations in Mycoplasma genitalium in metropolitan and overseas France.

OBJECTIVE: Limited macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance data are available in France for Mycoplasma genitalium. We performed a multicentre cross-sectional study to investigate the prevalence of macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance-associated mutations in M. genitalium-positive patients in metropolitan France between 2018 and 2020 and in overseas France in 2018 and 2019. METHODS: Each year, a 1-month prospective collection of M. genitalium-positive specimens was proposed to metropolitan French microbiology diagnostic laboratories, and a similar 3-month collection was proposed to overseas French laboratories. Resistance-associated mutations were detected using commercial kits and sequencing. RESULTS: A total of 1630 M. genitalium-positive specimens were analysed. In metropolitan France, the prevalence of macrolide resistance-associated mutations ranged between 34.7% (95% CI 29.4% to 40.4%) and 42.9% (95% CI 37.1% to 49.0%) between 2018 and 2020 and was significantly higher in men (95% CI 52.4% to 60.2%) than in women (95% CI 15.9% to 22.2%) (p<0.001). These prevalences were significantly higher than those of 6.1% (95% CI 3.7% to 10.3%) and 14.7% (95% CI 10.9% to 19.6%) observed in overseas France in 2018 and 2019 (p<0.001), where no difference between genders was noted. The prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance-associated mutations was also significantly higher in metropolitan France (14.9% (95% CI 11.2% to 19.5%) to 16.1% (95% CI 12.1% to 21.2%)) than in overseas France (1.3% (95% CI 0.4% to 3.7%) and 2.6% (95% CI 1.3% to 5.3%) in 2018 and 2019, respectively) (p<0.001), with no difference between men and women regardless of the location. CONCLUSION: This study reports the high prevalence of macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance-associated mutations in M. genitalium in metropolitan France and highlights the contrast with low prevalence in overseas France. In metropolitan France, macrolide resistance-associated mutation prevalence was three times higher in men than in women, which was likely to be driven by the proportion of men who have sex with men. This suggests that gender and sexual practice should also be taken into account for the management of M. genitalium infections.

Multi-component prime-boost Chlamydia trachomatis vaccination regimes induce antibody and T cell responses and accelerate clearance of infection in a non-human primate model.

It is of international priority to develop a vaccine against sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis infections to combat the continued global spread of the infection. The optimal immunization strategy still remains to be fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate immunization strategies in a nonhuman primate (NHP) model. Cynomolgus macaques (Macaqua fascicularis) were immunized following different multi-component prime-boost immunization-schedules and subsequently challenged with C. trachomatis SvD in the lower genital tract. The immunization antigens included the recombinant protein antigen CTH522 adjuvanted with CAF01 or aluminium hydroxide, MOMP DNA antigen and MOMP vector antigens (HuAd5 MOMP and MVA MOMP). All antigen constructs were highly immunogenic raising significant systemic C. trachomatis-specific IgG responses. In particularly the CTH522 protein vaccinated groups raised a fast and strong pecificsIgG in serum. The mapping of specific B cell epitopes within the MOMP showed that all vaccinated groups, recognized epitopes near or within the variable domains (VD) of MOMP, with a consistent VD4 response in all animals. Furthermore, serum from all vaccinated groups were able to in vitro neutralize both SvD, SvE and SvF. Antibody responses were reflected on the vaginal and ocular mucosa, which showed detectable levels of IgG. Vaccines also induced C. trachomatis-specific cell mediated responses, as shown by in vitro stimulation and intracellular cytokine staining of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In general, the protein (CTH522) vaccinated groups established a multifunctional CD4 T cell response, whereas the DNA and Vector vaccinated groups also established a CD8 T cells response. Following vaginal challenge with C. trachomatis SvD, several of the vaccinated groups showed accelerated clearance of the infection, but especially the DNA group, boosted with CAF01 adjuvanted CTH522 to achieve a balanced CD4/CD8 T cell response combined with an IgG response, showed accelerated clearance of the infection.

Clinical Performance of Three Commercial Molecular Diagnostic Assays for the Detection of Fluoroquinolone Resistance-Associated Mutations in Mycoplasma genitalium.

The high prevalence of macrolide resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium results in an increased reliance on moxifloxacin, the second-line treatment; however, moxifloxacin resistance has also emerged. Because assays that can detect fluoroquinolone resistance-associated mutations will be useful for the management of macrolide-resistant M. genitalium infections, we evaluated the performance of three commercial assays (the Allplex MG & MoxiR Assay [Seegene], LightMix Modular parC kit [TIBMOLBIOL], and MGMO qPCR [NYtor) in comparison with parC gene Sanger sequencing used as the reference. Between January 2018 and December 2020, remnants of M. genitalium-positive clinical specimens received at the French National Reference Center for Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections were collected if a Sanger sequencing result was obtained for the parC gene. Overall, 368 M. genitalium-positive specimens were assessed. The clinical sensitivities for the detection of the ParC mutations that are likely of clinical significance were 91.8% (95% CI = 83.2 to 96.2), 98.6% (95% CI = 92.4 to 99.8), and 94.4% (95% CI = 86.6 to 97.8) for the Allplex MG & MoxiR, LightMix Modular parC, and MGMO qPCR kits, respectively, with no significant difference between the three kits. The clinical specificity of the Allplex MG & MoxiR and MGMO qPCR kits was 100% (95% CI = 97.7 to 100 and 98.7 to 100, respectively), which was significantly higher than the specificity of the LightMix Modular parC kit of 95.4% (95%CI = 92.3 to 97.3), for which the interpretation of melting curves may be misleading. These kits should be useful for the selection of antimicrobials in macrolide-resistant M. genitalium infections, although further developments may be necessary because parC mutations involved in fluoroquinolone resistance have not been precisely determined.

Use of healthcare reimbursement data to monitor bacterial sexually transmitted infection testing in France, 2006 to 2020.

BackgroundDiagnoses of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have increased in France since the 2000s. The main strategy to control STI transmission is recommending/facilitating access to condom use, testing, and antibiotic treatments.AimThis study analyses the evolution of STI testing in the private sector in France from 2006 to 2020.MethodsNational health insurance reimbursement data were used to determine numbers and rates of individuals aged ≥ 15 years tested for diagnoses of chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis in the private sector in France and to describe their evolution from 2006 to 2020.ResultsUpward tendencies in testing were observed from 2006 to 2019 for all three STIs. The highest testing rates were identified in people aged 25‒29-years old. The observed testing-increase from 2017 to 2019 was twice as high in young people (< 25 years old) as in older people. In 2019, chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis testing rates were respectively 45.4 (+ 21% since 2017), 41.3 (+ 60%), and 47.2 (+ 22%) per 1,000 inhabitants. For all STIs combined, the number of tested individuals decreased by 37% between March and April 2020 during the first COVID-19 epidemic wave and lockdown in France.ConclusionImprovements found in STI testing rates may have resulted from better awareness, especially among young people and health professionals, of the importance of testing, following prevention campaigns. Nevertheless, testing levels remain insufficient considering increasing diagnoses. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had a considerable impact on STI testing. Partner notification and offering diverse testing opportunities including self-sampling are essential to control STI epidemics particularly in exposed populations.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing restores the diagnosis of a rare infectious complication of B cell depletion.

A 45-year-old female patient receiving rituximab for B cell non-Hodgkin follicular lymphoma presented unexplained recurrent fever, abdominal discomfort, and pollakiuria. We performed shotgun metagenomic sequencing from peri-kidney collection that identified a co-infection with Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum. The patient recovered with sequelae after appropriate antibiotic treatment was given.

Molecular Typing Reveals Distinct Mycoplasma genitalium Transmission Networks among a Cohort of Men Who Have Sex with Men and a Cohort of Women in France.

Mycoplasma genitalium causes sexually transmitted infecti.ons in men and women. Treatment failures to macrolides and fluoroquinolones have been reported worldwide. Although the mgpB typing method has often been used in M. genitalium-infected men who have sex with men (MSM), limited typing data are available for M. genitalium-infected women. In this study, we aimed to investigate the genetic relationship between M. genitalium strains and their antibiotic resistance profile in a cohort of MSM (86.2% on HIV preexposure prophylaxis [PrEP], 13.8% HIV positive) and a large cohort of women using mgpB/MG309 typing. The mgpB types were determined in 374 samples from 305 women and 65 MSM. Three MSM and one woman had two concurrent or subsequent samples. Macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance-associated mutations were searched in the 23S rRNA as well as parC and gyrA genes. The mgpB phylogenetic construction revealed three large clusters that differed according to sexual practices and geographical origin of patients. The prevalence of macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance was significantly higher in MSM compared with women (95.4% vs. 14.1% and 30.6% vs. 7.2%, p < 0.001, respectively). The macrolide resistance spread was polyclonal in both populations, but clonal diffusion of two dual-resistant types was observed in PrEP users in association with high antibiotic pressure and dense connectivity in this population.

Doxycycline versus azithromycin for the treatment of anorectal Chlamydia trachomatis infection in women concurrent with vaginal infection (CHLAZIDOXY study): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled, superiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Anorectal infections with Chlamydia trachomatis are commonly found in women. Although the efficacy of doxycycline and azithromycin is comparable in the treatment of urogenital infection, their efficacies toward anorectal infection remain unclear. We therefore aimed to compare a single dose of azithromycin with a 7-day course of doxycycline for the treatment of anorectal C trachomatis infection in women with concurrent vaginal infection. METHODS: We did a multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled, superiority trial involving four sexually transmitted infection screening centres and three pregnancy termination centres in France. We included sexually active adult women (≥18 years) with a positive C trachomatis vaginal swab who agreed to provide self-collected anorectal swabs for C trachomatis detection. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1), using block sizes of six and eight and stratification by each investigating centre, to orally receive either azithromycin (a single 1-g dose, with or without food) or doxycycline (100 mg in the morning and evening at mealtimes for 7 days [ie, 100 mg of doxycycline twice per day for 7 days]). All laboratory staff who did the bacteriological analyses, but not the participants and the investigators, were masked to the treatment groups. The primary outcome was the microbiological anorectal cure rate defined as a C trachomatis-negative nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) result in anorectal specimens 6 weeks after treatment initiation among women who had a baseline C trachomatis-positive anorectal NAAT result. The primary analysis was done in the modified intention-to-treat population, with multiple imputation, which included all women who underwent randomisation and had a C trachomatis-positive vaginal and anorectal NAAT result at baseline. Adverse events were reported in all women who underwent randomisation. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03532464. FINDINGS: Between Oct 19, 2018, and April 17, 2020, we randomly assigned a total of 460 participants to either the doxycycline group (n=230) or the azithromycin group (n=230). Four (1%) of 460 participants were excluded because they refused to take doxycycline or were found to be ineligible after randomisation. Among the 456 participants, 357 (78%) had a concurrent C trachomatis-positive anorectal NAAT result at baseline; 184 (52%) of 357 were in the doxycycline group and 173 (48%) were in the azithromycin group (ie, the modified intention-to-treat population). Microbiological anorectal cure occurred in 147 (94%) of 156 participants in the doxycycline group (28 missing values) versus 120 (85%) of 142 in the azithromycin group (31 missing values; adjusted odds ratio with imputation of missing values 0·43 [95% CI 0·21-0·91]; p=0·0274). Reported adverse events possibly related to treatment were notified in 53 (12%) of 456 women: 24 (11%) of 228 in the doxycycline group and 29 (13%) of 228 in the azithromycin group. Gastrointestinal disorders were the most frequently occurring, in 43 (9%) of 456 women: 17 (8%) of 228 in the doxycycline group and 26 (11%) of 228 in the azithromycin group. INTERPRETATION: The microbiological anorectal cure rate was significantly lower among women who received a single dose of azithromycin than among those who received a 1-week course of doxycycline. This finding suggests that doxycycline should be the first-line therapy for C trachomatis infection in women. FUNDING: French Ministry of Health. TRANSLATION: For the French translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae detections before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: results of a global survey, 2017 to 2021.

BackgroundMycoplasma pneumoniae respiratory infections are transmitted by aerosol and droplets in close contact.AimWe investigated global M. pneumoniae incidence after implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) against COVID-19 in March 2020.MethodsWe surveyed M. pneumoniae detections from laboratories and surveillance systems (national or regional) across the world from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 and compared them with cases from corresponding months between 2017 and 2020. Macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae (MRMp) data were collected from 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2021.ResultsThirty-seven sites from 21 countries in Europe, Asia, America and Oceania submitted valid datasets (631,104 tests). Among the 30,617 M. pneumoniae detections, 62.39% were based on direct test methods (predominantly PCR), 34.24% on a combination of PCR and serology (no distinction between methods) and 3.37% on serology alone (only IgM considered). In all countries, M. pneumoniae incidence by direct test methods declined significantly after implementation of NPIs with a mean of 1.69% (SD ± 3.30) compared with 8.61% (SD ± 10.62) in previous years (p < 0.01). Detection rates decreased with direct but not with indirect test methods (serology) (-93.51% vs + 18.08%; p < 0.01). Direct detections remained low worldwide throughout April 2020 to March 2021 despite widely differing lockdown or school closure periods. Seven sites (Europe, Asia and America) reported MRMp detections in one of 22 investigated cases in April 2020 to March 2021 and 176 of 762 (23.10%) in previous years (p = 0.04).ConclusionsThis comprehensive collection of M. pneumoniae detections worldwide shows correlation between COVID-19 NPIs and significantly reduced detection numbers.

A Narrative Review of Experimental Models to Study Vascular Grafts Infections.

Background: Many experimental models have been developed to decipher the mechanisms of vascular graft and endograft infections (VGEIs), and to elaborate strategies to prevent or treat their occurrence. A systematic literature research was conducted to identify the most accurate models for studying VGEIs, depending on the research question. Methods: A narrative literature search was conducted using the MEDLINE and Cochrane databases, with no set limit on the date of publication, up to 10 August 2021. Ex vivo, in vitro, and in vivo animal studies on VGEIs, published in English or French, were selected. Cross references retrieved from selected articles on PubMed database were also included. Data on microorganisms and grafts studied, details of experimental models, and of graft implantation and removal in animal studies were collected. Results: A total of 243 studies were included in the review after reading the full length articles: 55 in vitro studies, 169 animal studies, 17 studies which used both in vitro and animal models, and two ex vivo studies. Many differences in model characteristics were seen. The main in vitro model was the incubation of a graft sample in a bacterial solution, used to study the first steps of infection. In animals, vascular large animal models (dogs and pigs) were the most commonly described but supplanted over time by extravascular and particularly subcutaneous mouse and rat models, which have been reported increasingly over the last few years. In animal models, antibiotic prophylaxis and therapy were rarely administered (27.4% and 19.9%, respectively), and vascular reconstruction after VGEIs even less frequently (9.8%). Conclusion: Despite protocol discrepancies, it was possible to dinstinguish three main experimental models (i.e., in vitro and in vivo vascular models, and extravascular models), which all remain of interest to study specific phases of VGEIs.

Detection and Prevalence of Macrolide and Fluoroquinolone Resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium in Badalona, Spain.

Macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance (MLr/FQr) in Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) infections is concerning worldwide. Current guidelines recommend performing MLr detection in MG-positive cases to adjust antimicrobial therapy. We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of PCR followed by pyrosequencing for MLr detection in comparison with a one-step commercial assay and to assess the prevalence of MLr and FQr in Badalona, Spain. A total of 415 MG-positive samples by Allplex STI-7 (Seegene) were analyzed for MLr detection by pyrosequencing. From those, 179 samples were further analyzed for MG and MLr by ResistancePlus® MG kit (SpeeDx) and 100 of them also for fluoroquinolone resistance (FQr) by sequencing the parC gene. Regarding MG detection, Allplex and Resistance Plus® showed an overall agreement of 87%, but this value rose to 95.4% if we compare them for MLr detection. Prevalence of MLr was 23.1% in Badalona, but this rate increased to 73.7% in the HIV-positive patients cohort. FQr detection showed 3% of resistant strains. Pyrosequencing is a convenient and cheap technique for MLr detection, but one-step tools should be considered in high-throughput laboratories. Despite the fact that MLr remained moderate and FQr was low in our study, simultaneous MG and MLr detection would improve patient's management applying resistance-guided treatment strategies.

Clinical, epidemiological and therapeutic characteristics of Mycoplasma genitalium infection in a French STI center.

OBJECTIVES: We report the characteristics of Mycoplasmagenitalium (MG) infection in patients from a STI center in Paris. We evaluated outcomes after treatment. METHODS: We included all patients tested for MG, Chlamydiatrachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infection in our center from January 2017 to December 2018, using multiplex PCR on urine specimen, vaginal or rectal swabs. We collected data regarding sex, age, HIV status, PrEP use, sexual behavior, NG and CT co-infection, symptoms and treatment. RESULTS: MG infection prevalence was 7% (397/5586) (95% CI 6.4-7.8). It ranged from 4.6% in patients consulting for routine STI testing (3.9% in women, 5% in men), to 16% in HIV-positive patients and 25% in PrEP users. Among the 397 MG infected patients, 351 (88%) were asymptomatic and 87 (22%) were co-infected with NG or CT. Among the 270 (68%) treated patients, 249 (92%) received azithromycin. Failure rate was 74% in the 103 patients tested post-treatment. Treatment failure tended to be higher with azithromycin single dose than with 5-day azithromycin (88% vs. 70%; P=0.07). Azithromycin and moxifloxacin were used as second-line treatment in 24 and 23 patients, respectively. Post-treatment PCR remained positive in 55% of the 44 tested patients with a better eradication rate with moxifloxacin than with azithromycin (70% vs. 33%; P=0.04). CONCLUSION: MG infection is highly prevalent in PrEP users and HIV-positive patients and is mostly asymptomatic. Management of MG infection should be tailored and adapted to the risk of antibiotic resistance and reinfection.

Clinical performance of four multiplex real-time PCR kits detecting urogenital and sexually transmitted pathogens.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the clinical performances of four multiplex real-time PCR commercial kits for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis: the STI PLUS ELITe MGB kit (ELITechGroup), N. gonorrhoeae/C. trachomatis/M. genitalium/T.vaginalis Real-TM kit (Sacace Biotechnologies), Allplex STI Essential kit (Seegene), and FTD Urethritis Plus kit (Fast-Track Diagnostics). METHODS: The kit performance for C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, M. genitalium and T. vaginalis detection was compared to that of the cobas CT/NG and TV/MG kits (Roche Diagnostics) using 425 samples, mainly urine and cervicovaginal, throat and rectal swabs. Detection of Ureaplasma parvum, U. urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis were compared to that of in-house TaqMan PCRs. RESULTS: The four kits showed good performances for the detection of C. trachomatis. They all presented a low positive agreement for the detection of M. genitalium and T. vaginalis (ranges 63.3-74.1% and 51.2-68.4%, respectively) compared to the cobas MG/TV kit. The Seegene and Sacace kits showed additional low positive agreement for the detection of N. gonorrhoeae (71.2%, 95%CI 61.8-79.0 and 63.1%, 95%CI 53.5-71.8, respectively). We observed a slight but significant lower negative agreement for N. gonorrhoeae detection using the ELITechGroup kit (92.5%, 89.1-94.9) and for M. genitalium detection using the Fast-Track kit (93.2%, 89.6-95.7) compared to other kits. CONCLUSION: Multiplex real-time PCR kits are convenient methods for the detection of several pathogens associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in a single step, but colonizing Ureaplasma spp. and M. hominis species should not be included in these kits. Users should be aware of the weak performance of some kits for the detection of M. genitalium and T. vaginalis.