High prevalence and risk factors associated with Mycoplasma hominis in South African pregnant women

The World Health Organisation has provided annual estimates
of more than 448 million new cases of sexually transmitted
diseases worldwide, and this greatly contributes towards the
health burden. Among these estimates are those of emerging,
opportunistic sexually transmitted pathogens, such as genital
mycoplasma species that have been reported. Genital mycoplasmas
have been implicated in various adverse reproductive
health and pregnancy outcomes that include, pelvic inflammatory
disease, endometritis, chorioamnionitis, infertility, spontaneous
abortion, stillbirth and preterm birth. Despite these devastating
health concerns, there is limited data available on the
prevalence of these pathogens in pregnancy. This study therefore
aimed to provide prevalence estimates of Mycoplasma
hominis (M. hominis) and Mycoplasma genitalium (M. genitalium)
in pregnant women attending routine antenatal care, in a
Durban hospital, and then to identify associated risk factors for
infection. Detection of mycoplasmas was determined using real-
time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR). Of the
221 study participants screened, the prevalence of M. hominis
and M. genitalium were 47.96 and 5.88, respectively. Approximately,
4.98% of the women were found to be co-infected with
both pathogens. Past and current reported episodes of abnormal
vaginal discharge, having >4 lifetime number of sexual partners
and having obtained lower level education were found to
be significantly associated with M. hominis infection. Smoking
was identified as a significant risk factor for M.genitalium infection.
The high prevalence of M. hominis infection reported in
our pregnant study population from Durban, strongly suggests
the importance of routine gynaecological testing for sexually
transmitted infections, so that treatment can be implemented
at early diagnosis and associated adverse pregnancy outcomes
can be prevented.

Author(s): Meleshni Naicker

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