Doctors are calling for more research into a little-known sexually transmitted disease that may be more common than thought.
Scientists have known for decades mycoplasma genitaliaor M. genitalium or M. gen., is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause pain, bleeding and swelling of the genitals and is associated with infertility and miscarriage. Food and Drug Administration approved test for M. gen. It has been commercialized. Doctors warn that many cases may go undiagnosed and untreated.
Irene Stafford, PhD, associate professor of maternal-fetal medicine at McGovern Medical School in UTHealth Houston, said: “Why don’t we look into this?”
Stafford called for more research and testing for the bacterial infection at a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention meeting for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases on Tuesday, and CDC officials warned it was “out of control.” Elevated STDs.
It’s similar to Chlamydia When Gonorrhea, M. gen. Although it may be asymptomatic, it can cause serious complications in both men and women. In men, it can cause urethritis, swelling and inflammation of the urethra. In women, M. gen. It is associated with cervical swelling, pelvic inflammatory disease, miscarriage, premature birth and infertility. A large study was published in a journal in May. sexually transmitted disease Women with M. gen were found to have an almost two-fold increased risk of premature birth.
However, experts say more research is needed to determine long-term risks from M. gen infection.
What are symptoms?
Because the test is relatively new, doctors don’t have to report diagnosed cases, and the CDC doesn’t recommend regular screening, it’s important to know how prevalent STDs are and who is most at risk. Patients are usually screened only if symptoms persist after testing negative for other STIs.
“With better testing, we can learn more about the epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections,” said Eric Manson, an assistant professor of science at the Institute of Medicine at Marquette University in Milwaukee.
Symptoms include:
- Pain and discomfort when urinating.
- Abnormal discharge in both men and women.
- Women may also experience lower abdominal pain and bleeding after sex.
According to Lisa Manhart, professor of epidemiology at the University of Washington School of Public Health, 20% of sexually active women and 16.5% of men aged 15 to 24 may be infected with M. gen. I have.
In contrast, chlamydia Most Commonly Reported Sexually Transmitted Diseases In the United States, it ranges from 4% to 7% of young sexually active women, depending on location and risk factors.
Given its association with pregnancy complications, Stafford believes that at-risk pregnant women should be screened for M. gen. However, screening programs can be costly, especially when no risk research is available to justify the cost.
“There is very good research showing that screening for and treating chlamydia and gonorrhea can actually prevent infertility and PID. [pelvic inflammatory disease]”There is no such evidence for M. genitalium,” Manhart said.
worry about super bugs
The bug has developed resistance to azithromycin, or “Z-Pack,” the most common antibiotic used to treat sexually transmitted infections, according to the CDC.
Another antibiotic, moxifloxacin, is effective but can cause serious side effects, making it a particularly risky choice for pregnant women. , M. gen. You’re more likely to become resistant to that antibiotic, too, experts warn.
“M. the genitalia has rapidly developed resistance to all the antibiotics that have been used to treat it,” Manhart said. It’s hanging.”
While these examples are rare, some worry that M. gen is becoming a fully resistant superbug. I am working on it carefully.
For now, the CDC says the best strategy for treating M. gen is to test for antibiotic resistance before deciding which drug to use. However, these tests are not FDA-approved.
“The CDC is putting a lot of effort into resistance testing, but it’s not readily available at this time,” Munson said.
Only a few specialized research centers can test whether an infection is resistant to antibiotics. Companies are working on a widely available version, but like new or repurposed antibiotics effective against stubborn bugs, it could be years away, Manson said. .
Experts hope that increased public awareness of sexually transmitted diseases will make research efforts much needed.
Fertility and sexual health issues are real,” Stafford said.
