Evaluation of commercial, customized microdilution plates for Ureaplasma parvum, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Mycoplasma hominis antimicrobial susceptibility testing and determination of antimicrobial resistance prevalence in France.

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of human mycoplasmas using microdilution is time-consuming. In this study, we compared the performance of MICRONAUT-S plates (Biocentric-Bruker) designed for AST of Ureaplasma parvum, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Mycoplasma hominis with the results using the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) reference method. Then, we investigated the prevalence and mechanisms of resistance to tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, and macrolides in France in 2020 and 2021. The two methods were compared using 60 strains. For the resistance prevalence study, U. parvum-, U. urealyticum-, and M. hominis-positive clinical specimens were collected for 1 month each year in 22 French diagnostic laboratories. MICs were determined using the MICRONAUT-S plates. The tet(M) gene was screened using PCR, and fluoroquinolone resistance-associated mutations were screened using PCR and Sanger sequencing. Comparing the methods, 99.5% (679/680) MICs obtained using the MICRONAUT-S plates concurred with those obtained using the CLSI reference method. For 90 M. hominis isolates, the tetracycline, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin resistance rates were 11.1%, 2.2%, and 2.2%, respectively, with no clindamycin resistance. For 248 U. parvum isolates, the levofloxacin and moxifloxacin resistance rates were 5.2% and 0.8%, respectively; they were 2.9% and 1.5% in 68 U. urealyticum isolates. Tetracycline resistance in U. urealyticum (11.8%) was significantly (P < 0.001) higher than in U. parvum (1.2%). No macrolide resistance was observed. Overall, the customized MICRONAUT-S plates are a reliable, convenient tool for AST of human mycoplasmas. Tetracycline and fluoroquinolone resistance remain limited in France. However, the prevalence of levofloxacin and moxifloxacin resistance has increased significantly in Ureaplasma spp. from 2010 to 2015 and requires monitoring. IMPORTANCE: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of human urogenital mycoplasmas using the CLSI reference broth microdilution method is time-consuming and requires the laborious preparation of antimicrobial stock solutions. Here, we validated the use of reliable, convenient plates designed for antimicrobial susceptibility testing that allows the simultaneous determination of the MICs of eight antibiotics of interest. We then investigated the prevalence and mechanisms of resistance of each of these bacteria to tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, and macrolides in France in 2020 and 2021. We showed that the prevalence of levofloxacin and moxifloxacin resistance has increased significantly in Ureaplasma spp. from 2010 to 2015 and requires ongoing monitoring.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ceftriaxone-resistant, multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae with a novel mosaic penA-237.001 gene, France, June 2022.

We report a ceftriaxone-resistant, multidrug-resistant urogenital gonorrhoea case in a heterosexual woman in France, June 2022. The woman was successfully treated with azithromycin 2 g. She had unprotected sex with her regular partner, who developed urethritis following travel to Vietnam and Switzerland. Whole genome sequencing of the gonococcal isolate (F92) identified MLST ST1901, NG-STAR CC-199, and the novel mosaic penA-237.001, which caused ceftriaxone resistance. penA-237.001 is 98.7% identical to penA-60.001, reported in various ceftriaxone-resistant strains, including the internationally spreading FC428 clone.

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.

High Prevalence and High Rate of Antibiotic Resistance of Mycoplasma genitalium Infections in Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Substudy of the ANRS IPERGAY Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Trial.

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is an emerging pathogen among men who have sex with men (MSM) with raising rates of antibiotic resistance. This study assessed the prevalence and incidence of MG infection in MSM enrolled in the open-label phase of the ANRS IPERGAY trial with on-demand tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine for human immunodeficiency virus prevention and the impact of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). METHODS: 210 subjects were tested at baseline and at 6 months by real-time PCR assays for MG detection in urine samples and oropharyngeal and anal swabs. Resistance to azithromycin (AZM), to fluoroquinolones (FQs), and to doxycycline was investigated in the French National Reference Center of Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). RESULTS: The all-site prevalence of MG at baseline was 10.5% (6.3% in urine samples, 4.3% in anal swabs, 0.5% in throat swabs) and remained unchanged at 6 months whether or not PEP was used: 9.9% overall, 10.2% with PEP, 9.6% without. The overall rate of MG resistance (prevalent and incident cases) to AZM and FQs was 67.6% and 9.1%, respectively, with no difference between arms. An in vivo mutation of the MG 16S rRNA, which could be associated with tetracycline resistance, was observed in 12.5% of specimens tested. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MG infection among MSM on pre-exposure prophylaxis was high and its incidence was not decreased by doxycycline prophylaxis with a similar high rate of AZM and FQ resistance, raising challenging issues for the treatment of this STI and supporting current recommendations to avoid testing or treatment of asymptomatic MG infection.

Performance of Three Commercial Molecular Diagnostic Assays for the Simultaneous Detection of Mycoplasma genitalium and Macrolide Resistance.

The increasing frequency of macrolide resistance is an emerging issue in the treatment of Mycoplasma genitalium infection. Because evaluation of new commercial kits detecting M. genitalium and macrolide resistance is needed, we evaluated the performance and handling characteristics of the Allplex MG & AziR (Seegene), the Macrolide-R/MG ELITe MGB (ELITechGroup), and the ResistancePlus MG FleXible (SpeeDx-Cepheid) kits in comparison with those of an in-house real-time PCR and 23S rRNA gene sequencing used as the reference. A total of 239 urogenital specimens (135 M. genitalium-positive and 104 M. genitalium-negative specimens) collected between April and December 2019 at the French National Reference Center for Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections were assessed. The overall agreement for M. genitalium detection of the three commercial kits compared with the in-house real-time PCR was 94.6 to 97.6%, and there was no significant difference. A total of 97 specimens were found to be M. genitalium positive with the three kits and were used to assess macrolide resistance detection. The clinical sensitivities for resistance detection were 74.5% (95% confidence interval, 61.7 to 84.2%), 96.2% (87.2 to 99.0%), and 92.8% (82.7 to 97.1%) for the Allplex MG & AziR, Macrolide-R/MG ELITe MGB, and ResistancePlus MG FleXible kits, respectively. The sensitivity of the Macrolide-R/MG ELITe MGB kit was significantly higher than that of the Allplex MG & AziR kit. The clinical specificity for resistance detection of the three kits was 97.4 to 97.6%. The random-access possibility, input sample volume, and DNA extract availability for detecting resistance to other antibiotics may also influence the selection of a commercial kit by diagnostic laboratories.

Lower mgpB diversity in macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma genitalium infecting men visiting two sexually transmitted infection clinics in Montpellier, France.

OBJECTIVES: Men engaged in high-risk sexual behaviour, such as MSM, are likely to be infected by resistant Mycoplasma genitalium strains. Understanding the transmission dynamics is challenging. We aimed to investigate the molecular epidemiology of M. genitalium in men visiting sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 2017 and February 2018, 95 M. genitalium-positive specimens from 78 men, including 76.9% MSM, visiting two STI clinics in Montpellier, France, were analysed for SNPs in the mgpB adhesin gene and number of tandem repeats in the MG_309 gene. Macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance were determined. Typing results were compared with antibiotic resistance, sexual behaviour, sampling site, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) usage and HIV status. RESULTS: Thirty-eight mgpB STs were identified, including 23 new STs, with ST4 being most prevalent. The mgpB/MG_309 typing method identified 52 genetic profiles, resulting in a discriminatory index of 0.979. Macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance-associated mutations were detected in 58.3% and 10.8% of patients, respectively. The macrolide resistance rate was higher among MSM than among men who have sex with women only (68.4% versus 9.1%; adjusted OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.13-2.18; P = 0.007). A lower mgpB diversity of 0.870 was found among macrolide-resistant strains in comparison with 0.978 in macrolide-susceptible strains, with an over-representation of mgpB ST62 and ST153. CONCLUSIONS: Although macrolide resistance spread appears polyclonal in M. genitalium, the lower diversity of mgpB types among macrolide-resistant strains may reflect the easier spread of a few specific mgpB types or the occurrence of sexual networks among MSM.

Identification of 16S rRNA mutations in Mycoplasma genitalium potentially associated with tetracycline resistance in vivo but not selected in vitro in M. genitalium and Chlamydia trachomatis.

OBJECTIVES: Tetracyclines are widely used for the treatment of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and recently have been used successfully for post-exposure prophylaxis of STIs in MSM. We investigated the in vitro and in vivo development of tetracycline resistance in Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium and evaluated 16S rRNA mutations associated with acquired resistance in other bacteria. METHODS: In vitro selection of resistant mutants of reference strains of C. trachomatis and M. genitalium was undertaken by serial passage in medium containing subinhibitory concentrations of tetracycline or doxycycline, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene of the two microorganisms was amplified and sequenced at different passages, as were those of 43 C. trachomatis- and 106 M. genitalium-positive specimens collected in France from 2013 to 2019. RESULTS: No tetracycline- or doxycycline-resistant strains of C. trachomatis and M. genitalium, respectively, were obtained after 30 serial passages. The tetracycline and doxycycline MICs were unchanged and analysis of the 16S rRNA gene, the molecular target of tetracyclines, of C. trachomatis and M. genitalium revealed no mutation. No mutation in the 16S rRNA gene was detected in C. trachomatis-positive specimens. However, six M. genitalium-positive specimens harboured a mutation potentially associated with tetracycline resistance without known prior tetracycline treatment for patients. CONCLUSIONS: Tetracyclines did not select in vitro-resistant mutants of C. trachomatis or M. genitalium. However, 16S rRNA mutations either responsible for or associated with tetracycline resistance in other bacteria, including mycoplasma species, were identified in several M. genitalium-positive specimens.

Initial Failure of Pristinamycin Treatment in a Case of Multidrug-Resistant Mycoplasma genitalium Urethritis Eventually Treated by Sequential Therapy.

ABSTRACT: We present a case of persistent Mycoplasma genitalium urethritis with documented macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance, and we describe the A2062T mutation in the 23S rRNA gene, possibly associated with pristinamycin resistance. After several treatment failures and loss of the A2062T mutation, M. genitalium urethritis was finally cured by a sequential antibiotic treatment including minocycline.

Clinical Evaluation of Three Commercial PCR Assays for the Detection of Macrolide Resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium.

As macrolide resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium is increasing worldwide, macrolide resistance-associated mutations should be assessed in M. genitalium-positive specimens. New commercial kits are available for detection of macrolide resistance concurrently with M. genitalium We prospectively evaluated the handling and clinical performances of three commercial kits for detection of macrolide resistance in M. genitalium Between August and December 2018, remnants of all urogenital specimens determined to be M. genitalium positive using an in-house real-time PCR assay were prospectively collected at the French National Reference Center for Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France. The internal control of each kit was added to the primary specimen before DNA extraction, and the absence of amplification inhibition associated with the addition of the three internal controls was assessed. Specimens were evaluated with four assays: the ResistancePlus MG assay (SpeeDx), the S-DiaMGRes assay (Diagenode), the RealAccurate TVMGres assay (PathoFinder), and amplification and sequencing of the 23S rRNA gene (the reference assay). Overall, 195 M. genitalium-positive specimens were assessed. The positive agreement of M. genitalium detection for each kit ranged between 94.8% and 96.4%. Among 154 specimens with M. genitalium positivity as detected by the three commercial kits and 23S rRNA sequencing data, the clinical sensitivity and specificity ranges of the three commercial kits for detecting macrolide resistance-associated mutations were 95 to 100% and 94.6 to 97.3%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity values were similar among the kits. The launch of three easy-to-use sensitive and specific commercial kits for simultaneous detection of M. genitalium and macrolide resistance will be useful for resistance-guided therapy.

Prevalence of lymphogranuloma venereum among anorectal Chlamydia trachomatis-positive MSM using pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the prevalence of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) in anorectal Chlamydia trachomatis-positive French men who have sex with men (MSM) using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV. Here, we describe the clinical, biological and behavioural characteristics of these patients. METHODS: Laboratories throughout French metropolitan areas performing routine testing for C. trachomatis sent positive anorectal specimens to the National Reference Centre for bacterial STIs for LGV real-time PCR targeting the pmpH gene. Identification of the C. trachomatis genovar was performed by ompA gene sequencing. For each patient, clinical, biological and sexual behaviour data were collected after obtaining written informed consent. RESULTS: In 2017, 486 anorectal C. trachomatis-positive specimens from MSM PrEP users were analysed. A strain of genovar L was detected in 91 cases (18.7%). Patients with LGV were significantly more symptomatic, had more sexual partners and more concurrent syphilis compared with their non-LGV counterparts. OmpA gene sequencing, successful in two-thirds of anorectal C. trachomatis-positive specimens, showed that the LGV cases were mainly of variant L2b (n=33), followed by genovar L2 (n=27) and genetic L2b ompA variants (n=16). In 11 cases, the results indicated the occurrence of genetic exchange between L and non-L genovars. CONCLUSIONS: LGV was diagnosed in 18.7% of anorectal C. trachomatis-positive specimens from French MSM using PrEP. LGV testing should be carried out for MSM diagnosed with chlamydia and with a large number of sexual partners, high-risk practices and anorectal symptoms. These patients should be presumptively treated as having LGV. This is the first surveillance study of LGV among MSM PrEP users and monitoring should continue.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections, 11 countries in Europe and Israel, 2011 to 2016.

BackgroundMycoplasma pneumoniae is a leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia, with large epidemics previously described to occur every 4 to 7 years.AimTo better understand the diagnostic methods used to detect M. pneumoniae; to better understand M. pneumoniae testing and surveillance in use; to identify epidemics; to determine detection number per age group, age demographics for positive detections, concurrence of epidemics and annual peaks across geographical areas; and to determine the effect of geographical location on the timing of epidemics.MethodsA questionnaire was sent in May 2016 to Mycoplasma experts with national or regional responsibility within the ESCMID Study Group for Mycoplasma and Chlamydia Infections in 17 countries across Europe and Israel, retrospectively requesting details on M. pneumoniae-positive samples from January 2011 to April 2016. The Moving Epidemic Method was used to determine epidemic periods and effect of country latitude across the countries for the five periods under investigation.ResultsRepresentatives from 12 countries provided data on M. pneumoniae infections, accounting for 95,666 positive samples. Two laboratories initiated routine macrolide resistance testing since 2013. Between 2011 and 2016, three epidemics were identified: 2011/12, 2014/15 and 2015/16. The distribution of patient ages for M. pneumoniae-positive samples showed three patterns. During epidemic years, an association between country latitude and calendar week when epidemic periods began was noted.ConclusionsAn association between epidemics and latitude was observed. Differences were noted in the age distribution of positive cases and detection methods used and practice. A lack of macrolide resistance monitoring was noted.

Two cases of multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae related to travel in south-eastern Asia, France, June 2019.

We report two cases of multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae urogenital infection with ceftriaxone resistance in a heterosexual couple in south-western France who were successfully treated with a single, high dose of intramuscular ceftriaxone (1 g). Whole genome sequencing of isolate F91 identified MLST13871, NG-MAST1086, NG-STAR233. Patient history revealed the isolate F91 was most likely acquired during a trip to Cambodia and belongs to the successful multidrug-resistant FC428 Asian clone.

Extra-rectal lymphogranuloma venereum in France: a clinical and molecular study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a series of extrarectal lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) cases diagnosed in France. METHODS: Consecutive LGV cases confirmed at the French Reference Centre for chlamydiae with an extrarectal sample from January 2010 to December 2015 were included. The first part of the study consisted of a retrospective case note review and analysis. In a second part, the complete ompA gene sequence of our samples was determined. RESULTS: There were 56 cases overall: 50 cases of genital LGV and six cases of pharyngeal LGV. Subjects were all men, median age 39 years, 27/53 were HIV-positive, 47/51 reported having sex with other men, 43/49 reported multiple sexual partners (a mean 25 in the last 6 months). Median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 21 days. Subjects most commonly presented with inguinal adenopathy alone (19 of 50 genital cases) and adenopathy with genital ulcer (17 of 50). Three pharyngeal cases were symptomatic. Fever was reported in 11 cases. Inguinal abscess was reported in 22 of 42 cases presenting with lymphadenopathy. Co-infections were frequent: eight cases of syphilis, four non-LGV Chlamydia trachomatis infections, one case of gonorrhoea. Cure was always achieved with doxycycline therapy but prolonged treatment was necessary in eight cases with inguinal abscess. Genotyping according to ompA sequencing showed the co-circulation of genovars L2 (16 of 42 strains successfully typed) and L2b (24 of 42). There was no association between HIV status and disease severity or genovar distribution. CONCLUSION: In the span of 6 years, 56 extrarectal LGV cases were confirmed through genotyping in France. Extrarectal LGV seemed to share a common epidemiological background with rectal disease in terms of affected population and genovar distribution. HIV prevalence was lower than expected.

Vaginal microbiota composition and association with prevalent Chlamydia trachomatis infection: a cross-sectional study of young women attending a STI clinic in France.

OBJECTIVES: New molecular techniques have allowed describing groups of bacterial communities in the vagina (community state types (CST)) that could play an important role in Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection. Our aim was to describe the distribution of CST in a population of young women in France. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in June 2015 among anonymous young women attending a STI clinic in Bordeaux, France. Participants provided a vaginal sample for CT screening and sociodemographic data. CT was diagnosed using the Aptima-combo 2 transcription-mediated-amplification assay. Vaginal microbiota composition was characterised using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. RESULTS: Microbiota composition and CT status were available for 132 women. CST dominated by Lactobacillus crispatus (CST-I), L. iners (CST-III) and a diversity of anaerobes (CST-IV) represented 37.1%, 38.6% and 22.0% of the sample, respectively. Twenty-one out of 132 women were CT positive. Proportions of CT-positive women were higher for samples belonging to CST-III (21.6%) and CST-IV (17.2%) than to CST-I (8.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Five CST were found in 132 young women from a STI clinic in France. These CSTs were not significantly associated with CT but higher proportions of CT-positive women were found in CST-III and CST-IV, consistent with a previous study in the Netherlands. Though our study lacked statistical power and was cross-sectional, it is a necessary first step to understand the structure of the vaginal microbiota in French women with or without infection before performing in-depth longitudinal studies.