Work

Molecular screening in a longitudinal cohort of young men who have sex with men and young transgender women: associations with focus on the emerging sexually transmitted pathogenMycoplasma genitalium

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives This investigation sought to characterise risk factors associated with acquisition of traditional and emerging agents of sexually transmitted infection (STI) in a cohort of young men who have sex with men and transgender women. Methods 917 participants provided urine and rectal swab submissions assessed by transcription-mediated amplification (TMA)-based assays forChlamydia trachomatisandNeisseria gonorrhoeaeand by off-label TMA-basedTrichomonas vaginalisandMycoplasma genitaliumtesting. A subset provided specimens at 6-month and 12-month follow-up visits. Results Prevalence ofM. genitaliumfrom rectal and urine specimens (21.7% and 8.9%, respectively) exceeded that ofC. trachomatis(8.8% and 1.6%) and other STI agents. Black participants yielded higher prevalence ofM. genitalium(30.6%) than non-black participants (17.0%; χ²=22.39; p<0.0001).M. genitaliumprevalence from rectal specimens was 41.5% in HIV-positive participants vs 16.3% in HIV-negative participants (χ²=57.72; p<0.0001). Participant age, gender identity, condomless insertive anal/vaginal sexual practice and condomless receptive anal sexual practice were not associated with rectalC. trachomatis(p≥0.10),N. gonorrhoeae(p≥0.29),T. vaginalis(p≥0.18) orM. genitalium(p≥0.20) detection. While prevalence ofT. vaginaliswas calculated at ≤1.0%, baseline rectal and urine screening status was predictive of detection/non-detection at follow-up. A non-reactiveM. genitaliumbaseline rectal or urine screening result was less predictive of non-reactive follow-up versusC. trachomatis,N. gonorrhoeaeandT. vaginalis. Conclusions RectalM. genitaliumdetection is associated with black race and HIV seropositivity. BaselineM. genitaliuminfection influences subsequent detection of the organism.

Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections

DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2020-054463