Evidence map›Paper›PMID 29281972›Full record

ArticleBMC genomics2017

Mycoplasma genitalium: whole genome sequence analysis, recombination and population structure.

Maria C Fookes, James Hadfield, Simon Harris, Surendra Parmar, Magnus Unemo, Jørgen S Jensen, Nicholas R Thomson

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC genomics, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 31 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
31citing papers in PubMed
2.5field-weighted citation impact, top 11% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

31 citing papers in PubMed, 55 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Antimicrobial resistance crisis in STIs: Gonorrhea andNew microbes and new infections · 2026
    Review
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Novel features ofMicrobial genomics · 2026
    Article
  5. Article
  6. Antimicrobial resistance ofInvestigative and clinical urology · 2025
    Article
  7. Article
  8. Detection of human IgG antibodies againstJournal of clinical microbiology · 2025
    Article
  9. Journal of medical microbiology · 2025
    Article
  10. Frontiers in microbiology · 2025
    Article
  11. A genome-wide investigation ofFrontiers in microbiology · 2025
    Article
  12. Article
  13. gyrA Mutations in Mycoplasma genitalium and Their Contribution to Moxifloxacin Failure: Time for the Next Generation of Resistance-Guided Therapy.Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America · 2023
    Article
  14. Article
  15. Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2023
    Article
  16. Article
  17. Molecular Typing Reveals DistinctMicroorganisms · 2022
    Article
  18. Article
  19. Molecular Tools for TypingFrontiers in microbiology · 2022
    Review
  20. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 5 institutions in 3 countries.

Maria C FookesPathogen Genomics, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK. mcf@sanger.ac.uk.
James HadfieldPathogen Genomics, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK.
Simon HarrisPathogen Genomics, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK.
Surendra ParmarClinical Microbiology and Public Health Laboratory, National Infection Service, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hills Road, Cambridge, UK.
Magnus UnemoWHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
Jørgen S JensenDivision for Infection Preparedness, Bacteria, Parasites, and Fungi, Research Unit for Reproductive Tract Microbiology, Statens Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Nicholas R ThomsonPathogen Genomics, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK. nrt@sanger.ac.uk.
Wellcome Sanger Institute · GBCambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust · GBLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine · GBÖrebro University · SEStatens Serum Institut · DK

Funding

Wellcome Trust 098051
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAlthough Mycoplasma genitalium is a common sexually transmitted pathogen causing clinically distinct diseases both in male and females, few genomes have been sequenced up to now, due mainly to its fastidious nature and slow growth. Hence, we lack a robust phylogenetic framework to provide insights into the population structure of the species. Currently our understanding of the nature and diversity of M. genitalium relies on molecular tests targeting specific genes or regions of the genome and knowledge is limited by a general under-testing internationally. This is set against a background of drug resistance whereby M. genitalium has developed resistance to mainly all therapeutic antimicrobials.

resultsWe sequenced 28 genomes of Mycoplasma genitalium from temporally (1980-2010) and geographically (Europe, Japan, Australia) diverse sources. All the strain showed essentially the same genomic content without any accessory regions found. However, we identified extensive recombination across their genomes with a total of 25 regions showing heightened levels of SNP density. These regions include the MgPar loci, associated with host interactions, as well as other genes that could also be involved in this role. Using these data, we generated a robust phylogeny which shows that there are two main clades with differing degrees of genomic variability. SNPs found in region V of 23S rRNA and parC were consistent with azithromycin/erythromycin and fluoroquinolone resistances, respectively, and with their phenotypic MIC data.

conclusionsThe sequence data here generated is essential for designing rational approaches to type and track Mycoplasma genitalium as antibiotic resistance increases. It represents a first approach to its population genetics to better appreciate the role of this organism as a sexually transmitted pathogen.

Indexed as

Genome, BacterialRecombination, GeneticDrug Resistance, BacterialGenes, BacterialGenetic VariationMycoplasma genitaliumPhylogenySequence Analysis, DNAAzithromycin resistanceMycoplasma genitaliumMycoplasma genitalium genomics and phylogeneticsSTIs

Identifiers

PMID29281972
PMCPMC5745988
OpenAlexW2776705231

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.