Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40247214›Full record

ArticleBMC infectious diseases2025

Mycoplasma genitalium infection in Eswatini amid syndromic case management: prevalence, coinfections, diagnostic challenges and treatment gaps.

Bernhard Kerschberger, Skinner Lekelem, Michelle Daka, Nombuso Ntshalintshali, Edwin Mabhena, Esther Mukooza, Mano Isaac Mafomisa, Sindisiwe Dlamini, Mpumelelo Mavimbela, Sindy Matse and 10 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC infectious diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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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

20 authors.

Bernhard KerschbergerMédecins Sans Frontières, Mbabane, Eswatini. Bernhard.Kerschberger@gmail.com.
Skinner LekelemMédecins Sans Frontières, Mbabane, Eswatini.
Michelle DakaMédecins Sans Frontières, Mbabane, Eswatini.
Nombuso NtshalintshaliMédecins Sans Frontières, Mbabane, Eswatini.
Edwin MabhenaMédecins Sans Frontières, Mbabane, Eswatini.
Esther MukoozaMédecins Sans Frontières, Mbabane, Eswatini.
Mano Isaac MafomisaMédecins Sans Frontières, Mbabane, Eswatini.
Sindisiwe DlaminiNational Reference Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Mbabane, Eswatini.
Mpumelelo MavimbelaEswatini National AIDS Programme, Ministry of Health, Mbabane, Eswatini.
Sindy MatseEswatini National AIDS Programme, Ministry of Health, Mbabane, Eswatini.
Lenhle DubeEswatini National AIDS Programme, Ministry of Health, Mbabane, Eswatini.
Nomvuyo MabuzaNational Reference Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Mbabane, Eswatini.
Roberto de la TourMédecins Sans Frontières, Geneva, Switzerland.
Hayk KarakozianMédecins Sans Frontières, Mbabane, Eswatini.
Nelly StaderiniMédecins Sans Frontières, Geneva, Switzerland.
Melat HaileMédecins Sans Frontières, Geneva, Switzerland.
Pablo ValladaresMédecins Sans Frontières, Geneva, Switzerland.
Alexandra CalmyInstitute of Global Health, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
Laurence Toutous TrelluUniversity Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
Iza CigleneckiMédecins Sans Frontières, Geneva, Switzerland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe global epidemic of Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is marked by its widespread prevalence, varied resistance patterns, and significant impact on sexual health. This study aimed to understand the prevalence and interaction of MG infections with other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in a low-resource setting, as well as the implications for routine STIs care.

methodsThis nested cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2022 to April 2023 across six outpatient care sites in Shiselweni, Eswatini. Participants completed a self-questionnaire, underwent syndromic case management, and provided urine samples for parallel molecular-based testing using the Cepheid GeneXpert® platform for MG, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV). The proportion of MG mono-infection and coinfections were calculated. Multivariable logistic regression models identified predictors of symptomatic MG mono-infections, which could be used to streamline at-risk patients for MG testing.

resultsAmong 735 participants, the median age was 27 (interquartile range 23-34) years, 65.9% were women, and 9.5% were HIV-positive. MG infection was detected in 10.5% (n = 77) of clients, with 45.5% (n = 35) coinfected with any of CT/NG/TV, and one case (0.1%) showing macrolide resistance. Among women with vaginal discharge syndrome (28.1%, n = 136), 0.7% (n = 1) had MG mono-infection, and 10.3% (n = 14) had MG and CT/NG/TV coinfections. Among men with male urethral syndrome (31.9%, n = 80), 3.8% (n = 3) had MG mono-infection, and 2.5% (n = 2) had MG and CT/NG/TV coinfections. Most MG-positive cases (66.2%, n = 51) did not receive antibiotic therapy, despite 68.6% (n = 35) reporting symptoms of STIs. Of treated cases, 26.0% (n = 20) received azithromycin monotherapy, 6.5% (n = 5) doxycycline monotherapy, and 1.3% (n = 1) both drugs. Of 305 individuals reporting STIs symptoms but tested negative for CT/NG/TV, 23 (7.5%) had symptomatic MG mono-infections. Unemployment and never having been tested for HIV were identified as risk factors. Streamlining 108/305 (35.4%) at-risk individuals for molecular-based MG testing would identify 14.8% (16/108) as positive, capturing 69.6% (16/23) of all symptomatic MG mono-infections.

conclusionsMG was common among outpatients and frequently co-occurred with CT, NG, and TV infections. Syndromic case management often misclassified MG infections, leading to ineffective treatment. Expanding molecular-based MG testing could enhance antibiotic stewardship, crucial for preventing the spread of drug-resistant strains.

Indexed as

CoinfectionMycoplasma genitaliumMycoplasma InfectionsAdultAnti-Bacterial AgentsCase ManagementChlamydia InfectionsCross-Sectional StudiesEswatiniFemaleGonorrheaHumansMalePrevalenceSexually Transmitted DiseasesYoung AdultAnti-Bacterial AgentsAfricaAMRCoinfectionsMGSTI

Identifiers

PMID40247214
PMCPMC12004693

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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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.