Mycoplasma Genitalium

What is Mycoplasma Genitalium?

Mycoplasma Genitalium (sometimes referred to as M. Gen) is a very small parasitic bacterium that can infect both men and women. The Mycoplasma Genitalium bacteria can be passed through sexual contact. The NHS in the UK does not universally screen for Mycoplasma Genitalium. Very often urethritis that is not caused by either Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea is caused by Mycoplasma Genitalium but is described as Non-Specific Urethritis (NSU) where a specific test has not been conducted.

Can I be tested for Mycoplasma Genitalium?

The STI Clinic offers a urine or vaginal swab test for Mycoplasma Genitalium using DNA PCR technology. This test looks for the DNA of the Mycoplasma Genitalium in the urine sample or on the swab and amplifies it, making this test one of the most accurate available.

How long does the test take?

Most results are back within 24 hours of the sample being received. The lab that runs this assay doesn't usually report over the weekend, so this should be factored into your turnaround expectations.

Should I get tested for Mycoplasma Genitalium?

We only recommend getting tested for Mycoplasma Genitalium if all other options have been dismissed. If you have any symptoms of a potential sexually transmitted infection such as a burning sensation when you pass urine, redness around the genital area or an unusual discharge, then we recommend a Full STI Screen to help us ascertain what is causing the problem.

Can Mycoplasma Genitalium be treated?

Mycoplasma Genitalium is normally very easy to treat with antibiotics. There is evidence of growing resistance to macrolide antibiotics and we run a test on all positive samples to test for macrolide resistance. This can take several days, so will treat empirically with the recommended first line antibiotic regimen, which is a combination of two medications. In difficult to treat cases, an alternative medication can be prescribed but this cannot be used as a first line treatment.