M. genitalium and Macrolide Resistance Multiplex Assay

What is it about?

Mycoplasma genitalium is a significant pathogen and is the second highest cause of nongonococcal urethritis after Chlamydia infection. It is also associated with complications that include pelvic inflammatory disease and increased risk of HIV transmission. First-line treatment of this pathogen is becoming less effective due to increased resistance to antibiotics such as macrolides. As conventional methods for detection and antimicrobial susceptibility testing are not feasible for this pathogen, routine detection requires molecular methods for identification of this bacteria as well as mutations in the bacterial 23S rRNA gene which have been used to predict resistance. Recently, a novel assay was described for the simultaneous detection of M. genitalium and macrolide resistance called ResistancePlus MG. In this study, the clinical performance of this new assay was evaluated on 1,089 consecutive samples in both men and women. The sensitivity of M. genitalium detection was 98.5% and 100% for detection of macrolide resistance mutations. This assay offers a considerable advantage in clinical settings for M. genitalium testing by making the results of detection and potential macrolide resistance simultaneously available. This can result in prompt and appropriate treatment and management of patients infected with this pathogen.

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Why is it important?

Mycoplasma genitalium is a significant pathogen and is the second highest cause of nongonococcal urethritis after Chlamydia infection. It is also associated with complications that include pelvic inflammatory disease and increased risk of HIV transmission. First-line treatment of this pathogen is becoming less effective due to increased resistance to antibiotics such as macrolides. As conventional methods for detection and antimicrobial susceptibility testing are not feasible for this pathogen, routine detection requires molecular methods for identification of this bacteria as well as mutations in the bacterial 23S rRNA gene which have been used to predict resistance. Recently, a novel assay was described for the simultaneous detection of M. genitalium and macrolide resistance called ResistancePlus MG. In this study, the clinical performance of this new assay was evaluated on 1,089 consecutive samples in both men and women. The sensitivity of M. genitalium detection was 98.5% and 100% for detection of macrolide resistance mutations. This assay offers a considerable advantage in clinical settings for M. genitalium testing by making the results of detection and potential macrolide resistance simultaneously available. This can result in prompt and appropriate treatment and management of patients infected with this pathogen.