Epidemiology of M. genitalium infection. What is known?

Background. Infection caused by M. genitalium (MG) is classified as sexually transmitted infections (STIs). At the same time, MG infection is not currently registered at the state level, in this connection data on its prevalence in countries around the world can only be obtained from scientific publications. Objective. To analyze the publications on the epidemiology of MG infection in countries around the world between 2017 and 2024. Material and methods. The search for publications of the PubMed database according to «Mycoplasma genitalium prevalence» keywords during the period from 1988 to 2024 (date of search — 14.08.2024) was performed. A total of 961 publications were found for this date; we analyzed a number of relevant publications (86 in total) on the prevalence of MG infection in the world from 2017 to 2024. Results. MG causes urethritis in men and reproductive tract damage in women. The prevalence of MG in countries around the world in general is not very high and amounts to 1—3.3% men and women in the total population. The indicator of MG infection prevalence among persons from «risk groups» (commercial sex workers, MSM), patients of STIs clinics with symptoms of urethritis, cervicitis, PID is significantly higher, reaching 20—45%. Risk factors for MG infection are young age, early sexual activity, «risky» sexual behavior (sexual promiscuity, neglect of barrier contraception, receptive anal sex), alcohol addiction, smoking, presence and pre-exposure prophylaxis of HIV infection, co-infection by other causative agents of STIs (e.g., C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae), past history of STIs, abnormal vaginal microecology. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.