AUTHOR=Yu Jianwei , Zhou Yan , Luo Haodang , Su Xiaoling , Gan Tian , Wang Jingyun , Ye Zufeng , Deng Zhongliang , He Jun 

TITLE=Mycoplasma genitalium infection in the female reproductive system: Diseases and treatment

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1098276

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2023.1098276

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Mycoplasma genitalium</italic> is a newly emerged sexually transmitted disease pathogen and an independent risk factor for female cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease. The clinical symptoms caused by <italic>M. genitalium</italic> infection are mild and easily ignored. If left untreated, <italic>M. genitalium</italic> can grow along the reproductive tract and cause salpingitis, leading to infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Additionally, <italic>M. genitalium</italic> infection in late pregnancy can increase the incidence of preterm birth. <italic>M. genitalium</italic> infections are often accompanied by co-infection with other sexually transmitted pathogens (<italic>Chlamydia trachomatis</italic>, <italic>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</italic>, and <italic>Trichomonas vaginalis</italic>) and viral infections (Human Papilloma Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus). A recent study suggested that <italic>M. genitalium</italic> plays a role in tumor development in the female reproductive system. However, few studies endorsed this finding. In recent years, <italic>M. genitalium</italic> has evolved into a new “superbug” due to the emergence of macrolide-and fluoroquinolone-resistant strains leading to frequent therapy failures. This review summarizes the pathogenic characteristics of <italic>M. genitalium</italic> and the female reproductive diseases caused by <italic>M. genitalium</italic> (cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, infertility, premature birth, co-infection, reproductive tumors, etc.), as well as its potential relationship with reproductive tumors and clinical treatment.</p>