Identification of Mycoplasma genitalium from clinical swabs by direct PCR

Abstract

Mycoplasma genitalium is one of the smallest self-replicating organisms. It is an obligate parasite found in the human genital tract. In men, the bacteria cause both acute and chronic non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU). In women, it has been associated with pelvic inflammatory disease and cervicitis among other related infections. Treatment of M. genitalium related infections has been effective using antibiotics such as the macrolides (e.g. azithromycin) and fluoroquinolones. However, there have been recorded cases of resistance to these antibiotics in various parts of the world as a result of a mutation in the 23SrRNA gene, although the antibiotic resistance has not been well established. The aim of this study was to detect M. genitalium in 352 swab samples collected from a clinic for sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya. DNA was extracted from the swabs and stored as a crude extract at -31°C. The swab lysates were subjected to direct polymerase chain reaction using primers that specifically target the 16S rRNA gene for M. genitalium. A total of 29 samples tested positive for M. genitalium. The data results showed a M. genitalium prevalence of 8.24% among sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya.