Tetracycline treatment does not eradicate Mycoplasma genitalium

Sex Transm Infect. 2003 Aug;79(4):318-9. doi: 10.1136/sti.79.4.318.

Abstract

Objectives: To study the treatment efficacy of tetracyclines and azithromycin in Mycoplasma genitalium positive patients attending an STD clinic.

Methods: All M genitalium positive patients (34 men and 26 women) attending an STD clinic during a 6 month period were treated with antibiotics. All patients known to be partners of M genitalium positive patients and those who were M genitalium positive, but not initially treated, were treated with azithromycin. Patients with urethritis and/or cervicitis were treated with tetracyclines before their M genitalium status was known.

Results: 10 of 14 women (71%) and 10 of 16 men (63%) treated with tetracyclines were M genitalium positive at follow up, whereas all patients treated with azithromycin (16 men and 20 women) were M genitalium negative, at the 4 week follow up visit.

Conclusions: These results suggest that tetracyclines are not sufficient to eradicate M genitalium. Randomised controlled treatment trials are urgently needed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Azithromycin / therapeutic use
  • Chlamydia Infections / complications
  • Chlamydia Infections / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Genital Diseases, Female / drug therapy*
  • Genital Diseases, Male / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mycoplasma / drug effects*
  • Mycoplasma Infections / complications
  • Mycoplasma Infections / drug therapy*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Tetracycline / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Azithromycin
  • Tetracycline