Detection of Mycoplasma genitalium from male primary urine specimens: an epidemiologic dichotomy with Trichomonas vaginalis.

A total of 2750 male urines subjected to a transcription-mediated amplification (TMA)-based Mycoplasma genitalium assay yielded 188 positive results (6.84%). This rate was similar to Chlamydia trachomatis (6.87%; P = 0.96) and greater than Neisseria gonorrhoeae (4.0%) and Trichomonas vaginalis (2.3%; P < 0.0002). Mean age of M. genitalium-infected males (30.8) was similar to N. gonorrhoeae (P = 0.78) but less than T. vaginalis (mean, 41.6; P < 0.0001). A total of 266 STI clinic encounters had at least 1 sexually transmitted infection (STI); 36.5% of these encounters had sole detection of M. genitalium (P ≤ 0.009 versus sole detection of other STI agents). In 209 community encounters with at least 1 STI, 22.0% exhibited sole detection of M. genitalium (P = 0.0007 versus sole M. genitalium detection in STI clinic males), while 18.7% had sole detection of T. vaginalis (P < 0.0002 versus detection in STI clinic males). TMA-based M. genitalium screening identifies additional cases of nongonococcal urethritis.

Retrospective assessment of transcription-mediated amplification-based screening for Trichomonas vaginalis in male sexually transmitted infection clinic patients.

Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) enhances detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis from rectal and pharyngeal sources. The utility of TMA for detection of Trichomonas vaginalis has recently been described. We report on the performance of TMA for detection of sexually transmitted infection (STI) agents from extraurogenital sources, with a focus on T. vaginalis. Within a 21-month interval, 1,314 consecutive male patient encounters at an STI clinic resulted in collection of 2,408 specimens for C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, and T. vaginalis TMA screening. A total of 471 encounters were managed with a single specimen collection (94.9% urine), with 12.7% positive for at least one STI agent. This detection percentage increased to 14.4% with collection of specimens from two sources and to 20.3% with collection from three sources (P = 0.03 versus single-source sampling). A total of 44.4% of encounters were managed by collection of urine and pharyngeal specimens and 19.1% by the addition of a third (rectal) collection. While procurement of urine and rectal specimens resulted in greater detection of C. trachomatis (6.1% and 11.3% rates, respectively) than of other STI agents, 858 pharyngeal specimens yielded a 2.9% T. vaginalis detection rate compared with 2.1% for N. gonorrhoeae and 1.6% for C. trachomatis. All T. vaginalis pharyngeal detections were confirmed by TMA-based alternative target testing. A total of 38.1% of T. vaginalis-positive pharyngeal specimens were derived from symptomatic patient encounters. A total of 85.7% of males with T. vaginalis-positive pharyngeal collections indicated strictly heterosexual preference. Additional specimen source sampling is necessary to make STI screening comprehensive. Incorporation of extraurogenital sources into assessment for T. vaginalis detection may identify additional symptomatic and asymptomatic male STI carriers.