Abstract
Mycoplasma have been suggested as co-factors in the pathogenesis of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The prevalence of urethral infection by Mycoplasma genitalium was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with urethral swabs from 35 HIV-infected patients at different stages of the disease (all of them were heterosexual men). M genitalium was detected in 2 out of 19 non-AIDS (stage A and B) patients and in a similar proportion (1 out of 14; 7.1%) of samples from healthy individuals. A dramatic increase in the frequency of M. genitalium detection was observed in samples of AIDS (stage C) patients. In fact, 9 out of 16 (56.2%) specimens tested positive by PCR. We found no association in AIDS patients between M. genitalium infection and CD4 count, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) p24 antigenemia or opportunistic infection.
MeSH terms
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AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / diagnosis
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AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy
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AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / microbiology
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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / drug therapy
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Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
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Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary / therapeutic use
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DNA, Bacterial / analysis
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HIV Infections / microbiology*
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HIV Seronegativity
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Humans
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Male
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Mucous Membrane / microbiology
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Mycoplasma / genetics
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Mycoplasma / isolation & purification*
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Mycoplasma Infections / diagnosis*
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Mycoplasma Infections / drug therapy
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Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
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Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / therapeutic use
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Urethra / microbiology*
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Urethritis / diagnosis*
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Urethritis / drug therapy
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Zidovudine / therapeutic use
Substances
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Anti-HIV Agents
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Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary
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DNA, Bacterial
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Zidovudine
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Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination