Grant: Cat. Gr.: STBBI Res.: Beyond HIV/AIDS/Hep. C- STBBI other than HIV/hep. C (gen.)

Mycoplasma genitalium is one of the microorganisms causing sexually transmitted infections (STI). It is the leading cause of non-gonococcal and non-chlamydial urethritis and cervicitis, whose infection can result in long-term consequences. M. genitalium infection is reported to increase the risk of STI and HIV acquisition. The global prevalence of STI caused by M. genitalium ranges between 1-6% in men and women, but in key populations increased by over 20%. The US CDC included M. genitalium in a watch list of antibiotic-resistant threats, and called for research to better understand the prevalence of M. genitalium and how the organism develops resistance. Current Canadian and international guidelines do not recommend the systematic screening of M. genitalium; therefore, it is unknown the real prevalence of asymptomatic and symptomatic people, the antimicrobial resistance and the diversity of strains circulating among people infected or colonized by M. genitalium. This proposal aims to determine the prevalence and diversity of M. genitalium among women, men and gender-diverse people living with HIV in Manitoba, and the phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance profile of the M. genitalium strains. Findings from this first of a kind, systematic study of M. genitalium will provide the foundation to propose a prospective cohort study that allows to understand the role of symptomatic and asymptomatic M. genitalium infections among women, men and gender-diverse people, the consequences of asymptomatic, persistent, or untreated infections in these populations, the interaction with other STIs and the potential for spread of antimicrobial resistance.