Investigation of mycoplasma and ureaplasma species using a molecular method in male patients suffering from urethritis symptoms: a cross-sectional study in the city of Antalya.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine whether Mycoplasma (M) genitalium, M. hominis, Ureaplasma (U) urealyticum, and U. parvum were present in male patients with symptoms of urethritis.

METHODS

First-void urine and genital discharge samples were collected from 94 men. The samples were examined for the presence of M. genitalium, M. hominis, U. urealyticum, and U. parvum using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method (BioGX Mycoplasma-Ureaplasma-OSR commercial multiplex PCR kit, BioGX, the Netherlands). The presence of Trichomonas vaginalis and Neisseria (N) gonorrhoeae was investigated using microscopy and culture methods. In the M. genitalium-positive samples, macrolide resistance was evaluated using the Macrolide-R/MG ELITe MGB Kit (ELITechGroup S.p.A., Italy) on the ELITe BeGenius system.

RESULTS

A total of 55 microorganisms were detected in 41.5% of the patients (n = 39; U. urealyticum [n = 18], U. parvum [n = 14], N. gonorrhoeae [n = 9], M. hominis [n = 8], and M. genitalium [n = 6]). The positivity rates of M. genitalium and N. gonorrhoeae were statistically higher in the patients with more than 3 partners in the last 12 months, and those of U. urealyticum and N. gonorrhoeae were higher in the patients with genital discharge (p < 0.05). In addition, a significant relationship was found between N. gonorrhoeae positivity and genital itching and pain/discomfort during sexual intercourse (p < 0.05). Macrolide resistance was detected in 2 (33.3%) of the 6 M. genitalium-positive samples.

CONCLUSION

In this study, U. urealyticum, N. gonorrhoeae, and M. genitalium were detected in 19.1%, 9.6%, and 6.4% of the male patients who presented with symptoms of urethritis, respectively.