An epidemiological study of Mycoplasma genitalium infections among males attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Guangxi, China.

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of urethral Mycoplasma genitalium infections among male patients attending a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in China and identify risk factors associated with this disease. A total of 423 patients were recruited in Hezhou City, Guangxi Province, China, and each was requested to complete a questionnaire regarding sociological and sexual behaviors. First-void urine samples were collected for M. genitalium analysis by polymerase chain reaction. Of the 406 urine samples collected, 114 were M. genitalium-positive, giving a prevalence rate of 28.1%. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that M. genitalium infection was associated with younger age, having received at least senior high school education, and single marital status. In both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, M. genitalium infection was found to be associated with lack of symptoms for STD in the past year (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.839; 95% CI = 1.495-5.392; P = 0.001), no use of condoms with steady partners in the past year (AOR = 2.830; 95% CI = 1.468-5.455; P = 0.002), and having sexual encounters with female sexual workers within the past 3 months (AOR = 2.955; 95% CI = 1.637-5.336; P < 0.0003). The observed high rate of M. genitalium infection among male STD patients in Hezhou City indicates an M. genitalium epidemic in the study population; thus, the national surveillance program and clinical health providers in China should more closely monitor this disease.