Prevalence and Associations of Asymptomatic Mycoplasma genitalium with High-risk Human Papillomavirus among Women in a Rural Community in Nigeria
Fatai O. Olanrewaju *
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
Atinuke A. Ajani
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
Murphy M. Oripelaye
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
Clement A. Adepiti
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
Olumide E. Adewara
Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
S. Babatunde Awoyinka
Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
Sekinah B. Bola-Oyebamiji
Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.
Olumide Akadiri
University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria.
Mariam Amuda
Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
Kayode O. Ajenifuja
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen) is an emerging sexually transmitted infection that is frequently asymptomatic and underdiagnosed. Local data on its occurrence alongside high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection remain limited in Nigeria.
Aim: To determine the prevalence of Mgen among asymptomatic women with positive HPV screening and compare it with that of age-matched HPV-negative controls.
Study Design: Comparative, cross-sectional, community-based study nested within a larger cervical cancer and HPV screening programme.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Ikire, Southwestern Nigeria, from February 2023 to July 2024. Samples were stored at -80°C at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex.
Methods: High vaginal swab samples were obtained by self-sampling from sexually active women aged 25-49 years. A total of 186 banked samples were selected, comprising 93 randomly selected HPV-positive women and 93 purposively selected, age-matched HPV-negative controls. Mgen was detected using the ScreenFire Zebra BioDome assay.
Results: The mean age was 35.10 ± 7.063 years. Mgen was detected in 8 of 92 HPV-positive women (8.7%) and 2 of 91 HPV-negative controls (2.2%), giving an overall prevalence of 5.5%. Mgen positivity was fourfold higher among HPV-positive women than among controls (OR = 4.238, 95% CI = 0.875-20.533), although the association was not statistically significant (p = 0.052). Mgen was significantly associated with high- to moderate-risk HPV strains (p = 0.048), but not with HPV-16 (p = 0.330).
Conclusion: Mgen co-infection occurred among women with HPV infection in this rural community and was more frequent among HPV-positive women.
Keywords: Mycoplasma genitalium, asymptomatic infection, high-risk human papillomavirus, HPV co-infection, HPV screening, cervical health, sexually transmitted infection, rural community, Nigeria, reproductive-age women, prevalence.