Prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium and other sexually transmitted infections causing urethritis among high-risk heterosexual male patients in Estonia.

Background:We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI, includingMycoplasma genitalium,Chlamydia trachomatis,Neisseria gonorrhoeae,Trichomonas vaginalis) among high-risk heterosexual male patients and to clarify their potency to cause complaints and inflammation. Methods:The study group included 825 men (18.0–49.5 y) consulting andrologist at Tartu University Hospital (Estonia) due to subjectively perceived risk of STI. Patients completed STI risk behaviour questionnaire. First voided urine was analysed for white blood cells and STIs. Results:In total 193 (23.4%) patients were positive for one or multiple STI. The prevalence ofC. trachomatis,M. genitalium,N. gonorrhoeae,T. vaginalisand combined STI was 14.3%, 4.4%, 2.7%, 0.7% and 1.3%, respectively.N. gonorrhoeaehad the highest potency to generate inflammatory reaction in first voided urine (100%) followed byC. trachomatis(72.0%),M. genitalium(63.9%) andT. vaginalis(33.3%).N. gonorrhoeaeandT. vaginaliscaused the highest mean number of complaints while half ofT. vaginaliscases and nearly fifth ofM. genitaliumandC. trachomatiscases were asymptomatic. Conclusions:C. trachomatishas the highest prevalence among Estonian high-risk men butM. genitaliumholds an important second place. Prevalence of combined STIs is low.N. gonorrhoeaehas the highest potency to generate urethral inflammation followed byC. trachomatisandM. genitalium. The highest number of complaints is also associated withN. gonorrhoeaewhile half ofT. vaginaliscases and nearly a fifth ofM. genitaliumandC. trachomatiscases are asymptomatic. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]