Prevalence and Distribution of Antimicrobial Resistance-Associated Mutations in Mycoplasma genitalium Identified Through Routine Molecular Diagnostics in Korea
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Clinical Specimens
2.2. Sample Processing and Nucleic Acid Extraction
2.3. Detection of Resistance-Associated Mutations in M. genitalium
2.4. Statistical Analysis
3. Results
3.1. Study Sample Characteristics
3.2. Macrolide Resistance-Associated Mutations in the 23S rRNA Gene
3.3. Fluoroquinolone Resistance-Associated Mutations in the parC Gene
3.4. Combined Mutation Patterns and Sex-Associated Differences
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
| E. coli | Escherichia coli |
| IRB | Institutional Review Board |
| M. genitalium | Mycoplasma genitalium |
| NAATs | Nucleic acid amplification tests |
| PCR | Polymerase chain reaction |
| rRNA | Ribosomal ribonucleic acid |
References
- Le Roux, M.C.; Mafunise, M.; de Villiers, B.E.; Ditsele, R.M. Antimicrobial susceptibility of Mycoplasma genitalium isolates from Pretoria, South Africa in 2012 and 2016. South. Afr. J. Infect. Dis. 2017, 33, 46–49. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Sethi, S.; Singh, G.; Samanta, P.; Sharma, M. Mycoplasma genitalium: An emerging sexually transmitted pathogen. Indian J. Med. Res. 2012, 136, 942–955. [Google Scholar]
- Banerjee, R.; Patel, R. Molecular diagnostics for genotypic detection of antibiotic resistance: Current landscape and future directions. JAC Antimicrob. Resist. 2023, 5, dlad018. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- van der Schalk, T.E.; Braam, J.F.; Kusters, J.G. Molecular basis of antimicrobial resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium. Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents 2020, 55, 105911. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Fookes, M.C.; Hadfield, J.; Harris, S.; Parmar, S.; Unemo, M.; Jensen, J.S.; Thomson, N.R. Mycoplasma genitalium: Whole genome sequence analysis, recombination and population structure. BMC Genom. 2017, 18, 993. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Gaydos, C.A. Mycoplasma genitalium: Accurate Diagnosis Is Necessary for Adequate Treatment. J. Infect. Dis. 2017, 216, S406–S411. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Copete, A.; Rueda, Z.V.; Singh, A.; Laupland, K.B.; Keynan, Y. To Screen or Not to Screen-Controversies in Testing for Mycoplasma genitalium. J. Assoc. Med. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. Can. 2024, 9, 125–128. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Su, J.P.; Tan, L.Y.; Garland, S.M.; Tabrizi, S.N.; Mokany, E.; Walker, S.; Bradshaw, C.S.; Read, T.; Murray, G.L. Evaluation of the SpeeDx ResistancePlus MG Diagnostic Test for Mycoplasma genitalium on the Applied Biosystems 7500 Fast Quantitative PCR Platform. J. Clin. Microbiol. 2018, 56, e01245-17. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Workowski, K.A.; Bachmann, L.H.; Chan, P.A.; Johnston, C.M.; Muzny, C.A.; Park, I.; Reno, H.; Zenilman, J.M.; Bolan, G.A. Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021. MMWR Recomm. Rep. 2021, 70, 1–187. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Jensen, J.S.; Cusini, M.; Gomberg, M.; Moi, H.; Wilson, J.; Unemo, M. 2021 European guideline on the management of Mycoplasma genitalium infections. J. Eur. Acad. Dermatol. Venereol. 2022, 36, 641–650. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lee, S.J.; Choi, J.B.; Bae, S.; Na, S.W.; Jung, H.D.; Jung, H.J.; Jung, S.I.; Song, P.H.; Lee, G. 2023 Korean sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines for Mycoplasma genitalium by KAUTII. Investig. Clin. Urol. 2024, 65, 16–22. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Biswal, D.; Gupta, S.; Sethi, S.; Singh, S.; Khanna, N.; Dhawan, B. Macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance associated mutations in Mycoplasma genitalium in men who have sex with men attending STI clinic: A pilot study from India. Indian J. Dermatol. Venereol. Leprol. 2024, 90, 632–635. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Machalek, D.A.; Tao, Y.; Shilling, H.; Jensen, J.S.; Unemo, M.; Murray, G.; Chow, E.P.F.; Low, N.; Garland, S.M.; Vodstrcil, L.A.; et al. Prevalence of mutations associated with resistance to macrolides and fluoroquinolones in Mycoplasma genitalium: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Infect. Dis. 2020, 20, 1302–1314. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ke, W.; Li, D.; Tso, L.S.; Wei, R.; Lan, Y.; Chen, Z.; Zhang, X.; Wang, L.; Liang, C.; Liao, Y.; et al. Macrolide and fluoroquinolone associated mutations in Mycoplasma genitalium in a retrospective study of male and female patients seeking care at a STI Clinic in Guangzhou, China, 2016–2018. BMC Infect. Dis. 2020, 20, 950. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Azrad, M.; Saleh, N.; Zur, I.Y.; Becker, D.; Shiloah, N.; Habib, S.; Peretz, A. Mycoplasma genitalium’s Antibiotic Resistance in Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinics in Israel. J. Low. Genit. Tract Dis. 2024, 28, 356–359. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Ljubin-Sternak, S.; Mestrovic, T.; Marijan, T.; Anusic, M.; Suto, S.; Vranes, J. Detection of Macrolide and/or Fluoroquinolone Resistance Genes in Mycoplasma genitalium Strains Isolated from Men in the Northwest Region of Croatia in 2018–2023. Genes 2024, 15, 470. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Read, T.R.H.; Fairley, C.K.; Murray, G.L.; Jensen, J.S.; Danielewski, J.; Worthington, K.; Doyle, M.; Mokany, E.; Tan, L.; Chow, E.P.F.; et al. Outcomes of Resistance-guided Sequential Treatment of Mycoplasma genitalium Infections: A Prospective Evaluation. Clin. Infect. Dis. 2019, 68, 554–560. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Adawiyah, R.A.; Bradshaw, C.S.; Vodstrcil, L.A.; Fairley, C.K.; Zhang, L.; Ong, J.J. Cost-effectiveness of resistance-guided therapy for Mycoplasma genitalium in Australia. Sci. Rep. 2024, 14, 12856. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Shipitsyna, E.; Kularatne, R.; Golparian, D.; Muller, E.E.; Vargas, S.K.; Hadad, R.; Padovese, V.; Hancali, A.; Alvarez, C.S.; Oumzil, H.; et al. Mycoplasma genitalium prevalence, antimicrobial resistance-associated mutations, and coinfections with non-viral sexually transmitted infections in high-risk populations in Guatemala, Malta, Morocco, Peru and South Africa, 2019–2021. Front. Microbiol. 2023, 14, 1130762. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lee, G.; Park, H.; Seo, Y.; Lee, S.J. Antimicrobial resistance of Mycoplasma genitalium in Korea for two decades. Investig. Clin. Urol. 2025, 66, 455–461. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Philipova, I.; Mademova, M.; Birindjieva, E.; Milanova, V.; Levterova, V. Implementation of Mycoplasma genitalium Diagnostics with Macrolide-Resistance Detection Improves Patient Treatment Outcomes in Bulgaria. Diagnostics 2024, 14, 2665. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Kim, C.J. Update on sexually transmitted infections in Korea: A narrative review. Ewha Med. J. 2024, 47, e52. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Tabrizi, S.N.; Tan, L.Y.; Walker, S.; Twin, J.; Poljak, M.; Bradshaw, C.S.; Fairley, C.K.; Bissessor, M.; Mokany, E.; Todd, A.V.; et al. Multiplex Assay for Simultaneous Detection of Mycoplasma genitalium and Macrolide Resistance Using PlexZyme and PlexPrime Technology. PLoS ONE 2016, 11, e0156740. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hackett, A.; Yossepowitch, O.; Goor, Y.; Sheffer, R.; Schwartz, O.; Sheftel, Y.; Weiss, Y.; Maor, Y. Prevalence and Risk Factors for Antimicrobial Resistance of Mycoplasma genitalium Infections in a High-Risk Population. J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13, 4924. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Drud, S.T.; Njuguna, P.; Ebeyan, S.; Erskine, S.; Holm, M.; Johansson, S.C.; Tan, L.Y.; Jensen, J.S. Evaluation of the ResistancePlus MG FleXible Assay for Detection of Wild-Type and 23S rRNA-Mutated Mycoplasma genitalium Strains. J. Clin. Microbiol. 2020, 58, e01900-19. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- He, W.; Yuan, Y.; Liang, J.; Fan, X.; Li, L.; Pan, X. Detection of macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance-associated 23S rRNA and parC mutations in Mycoplasma genitalium by nested real-time PCR. Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol. 2023, 13, 1271392. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Pereyre, S.; Laurier-Nadalie, C.; Le Roy, C.; Guiraud, J.; Dolzy, A.; Henin, N.; Gardette, M.; Bebear, C. Prevalence of macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance-associated mutations in Mycoplasma genitalium in metropolitan and overseas France. Sex. Transm. Infect. 2023, 99, 254–260. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Chua, T.P.; Bodiyabadu, K.; Machalek, D.A.; Garland, S.M.; Bradshaw, C.S.; Plummer, E.L.; Danielewski, J.; Vodstrcil, L.A.; Doyle, M.L.; Murray, G.L. Prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium fluoroquinolone-resistance markers, and dual-class-resistance markers, in asymptomatic men who have sex with men. J. Med. Microbiol. 2021, 70, 001429. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Shin, S. Epidemiologic Characteristics of 1.4 Million Multiplex PCR Tests for 12 Urogenital and Sexually Transmitted Infection Pathogens in Korea (2021–2024). Pathogens 2025, 14, 1073. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Gardette, M.; Hénin, N.; Roy, C.L.; Guiraud, J.; Touati, A.; Bébéar, C.; Pereyre, S. Clinical Performance of Three Commercial Molecular Diagnostic Assays for the Detection of Fluoroquinolone Resistance-Associated Mutations in Mycoplasma genitalium. J. Clin. Microbiol. 2022, 60, e01135-22. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lee, G.; Seo, Y.; Lim, D.; Lee, S.J. Performance of Allplex MG & AziR Assay for Detecting Macrolide-Resistant Mycoplasma genitalium. J. Korean Med. Sci. 2025, 40, e285. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Sandri, A.; Carelli, M.; Visentin, A.; Savoldi, A.; De Grandi, G.; Mirandola, M.; Lleo, M.M.; Signoretto, C.; Cordioli, M. Mycoplasma genitalium antibiotic resistance-associated mutations in genital and extragenital samples from men-who-have-sex-with-men attending a STI clinic in Verona, Italy. Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol. 2023, 13, 1155451. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Tsai, M.J.; Sun, H.Y.; Su, L.H.; Lin, K.Y.; Liu, W.D.; Huang, Y.S.; Chen, G.J.; Su, Y.C.; Liu, W.C.; Chang, S.Y.; et al. Mycoplasma genitalium infection and resistance-associated mutations to macrolides and fluoroquinolones among high-risk patients in Taiwan. J. Microbiol. Immunol. Infect. 2024, 57, 629–637. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Bissessor, M.; Tabrizi, S.N.; Twin, J.; Abdo, H.; Fairley, C.K.; Chen, M.Y.; Vodstrcil, L.A.; Jensen, J.S.; Hocking, J.S.; Garland, S.M.; et al. Macrolide resistance and azithromycin failure in a Mycoplasma genitalium-infected cohort and response of azithromycin failures to alternative antibiotic regimens. Clin. Infect. Dis. 2015, 60, 1228–1236. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ito, S.; Shimada, Y.; Yamaguchi, Y.; Yasuda, M.; Yokoi, S.; Ito, S.; Nakano, M.; Ishiko, H.; Deguchi, T. Selection of Mycoplasma genitalium strains harbouring macrolide resistance-associated 23S rRNA mutations by treatment with a single 1 g dose of azithromycin. Sex. Transm. Infect. 2011, 87, 412–414. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Iverson-Cabral, S.L.; Astete, S.G.; Cohen, C.R.; Rocha, E.P.; Totten, P.A. Intrastrain heterogeneity of the mgpB gene in Mycoplasma genitalium is extensive in vitro and in vivo and suggests that variation is generated via recombination with repetitive chromosomal sequences. Infect. Immun. 2006, 74, 3715–3726. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Iverson-Cabral, S.L.; Astete, S.G.; Cohen, C.R.; Totten, P.A. mgpB and mgpC sequence diversity in Mycoplasma genitalium is generated by segmental reciprocal recombination with repetitive chromosomal sequences. Mol. Microbiol. 2007, 66, 55–73. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Sweeney, E.L.; Trembizki, E.; Bletchly, C.; Bradshaw, C.S.; Menon, A.; Francis, F.; Langton-Lockton, J.; Nimmo, G.R.; Whiley, D.M. Levels of Mycoplasma genitalium Antimicrobial Resistance Differ by Both Region and Gender in the State of Queensland, Australia: Implications for Treatment Guidelines. J. Clin. Microbiol. 2019, 57, e01555-18. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Braam, J.F.; Hetem, D.J.; Vergunst, C.E.; Kuizenga Wessel, S.; van Rooijen, M.S.; Nijhuis, R.H.T.; Schim van der Loeff, M.F.; van Dam, A.P.; Bruisten, S.M. Evaluating the prevalence and risk factors for macrolide resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium using a newly developed qPCR assay. PLoS ONE 2020, 15, e0240836. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Bjartling, C.; Kertes, R.; Kristiansen, S.; Johnsson, A.; Forslund, O. Prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium and macrolide resistance in rectal and urine samples among men who have sex with men in Sweden. Sex. Transm. Infect. 2024, 100, 430–434. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Wong, N.S.; Wong, B.C.K.; Chan, D.P.; Cheung, D.K.F.; To, H.K.W.; Chung, S.L.; Ip, M.; Lee, S.S. Multi-anatomical site prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium infection, resistance and association with coinfections: A prospective study in MSM with HIV. JAC Antimicrob. Resist. 2025, 7, dlaf158. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Svenstrup, H.F.; Dave, S.S.; Carder, C.; Grant, P.; Morris-Jones, S.; Kidd, M.; Stephenson, J.M. A cross-sectional study of Mycoplasma genitalium infection and correlates in women undergoing population-based screening or clinic-based testing for Chlamydia infection in London. BMJ Open 2014, 4, e003947. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef][Green Version]
- VanderWeele, T.J. Principles of confounder selection. Eur. J. Epidemiol. 2019, 34, 211–219. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Shipitsyna, E.; Khusnutdinova, T.; Budilovskaya, O.; Krysanova, A.; Shalepo, K.; Savicheva, A.; Unemo, M. Bacterial vaginosis-associated vaginal microbiota is an age-independent risk factor for Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis infections in low-risk women, St. Petersburg, Russia. Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 2020, 39, 1221–1230. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lokken, E.M.; Balkus, J.E.; Kiarie, J.; Hughes, J.P.; Jaoko, W.; Totten, P.A.; McClelland, R.S.; Manhart, L.E. Association of Recent Bacterial Vaginosis With Acquisition of Mycoplasma genitalium. Am. J. Epidemiol. 2017, 186, 194–201. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Tamarelle, J.; Thiebaut, A.C.M.; de Barbeyrac, B.; Bebear, C.; Ravel, J.; Delarocque-Astagneau, E. The vaginal microbiota and its association with human papillomavirus, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Mycoplasma genitalium infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. 2019, 25, 35–47. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Colineaux, H.; Soulier, A.; Lepage, B.; Kelly-Irving, M. Considering sex and gender in Epidemiology: A challenge beyond terminology. From conceptual analysis to methodological strategies. Biol. Sex. Differ. 2022, 13, 23. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
| Variable | Total (n = 4019) | Male (n = 1882) | Female (n = 2137) | p-Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years), median (IQR) | 30 (25–38) | 32 (27–40) | 28 (23–34) | <0.001 |
| Sample source, n (%) | <0.001 | |||
| Urine | 1923 (47.8) | 1868 (99.3) | 55 (2.6) | |
| Swab | 2096 (52.2) | 14 (0.7) | 2082 (97.4) |
| Mutation | Total (n = 1253) | Male (n = 667) | Female (n = 586) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A2058C | 5 (0.4%) | 3 (0.4%) | 2 (0.3%) |
| A2058G | 435 (34.7%) | 228 (34.2%) | 207 (35.3%) |
| A2058T | 142 (11.3%) | 65 (9.7%) | 77 (13.1%) |
| A2059C | 54 (4.3%) | 33 (4.9%) | 21 (3.6%) |
| A2059G | 661 (52.8%) | 359 (53.8%) | 302 (51.5%) |
| A2059T | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) |
| Mutation | Total (n = 1306) | Male (n = 660) | Female (n = 646) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A247C | 92 (7%) | 40 (6.1%) | 52 (8%) |
| G248A | 154 (11.8%) | 80 (12.1%) | 74 (11.5%) |
| G248T | 682 (52.2%) | 380 (57.6%) | 302 (46.7%) |
| G259A | 259 (19.8%) | 112 (17%) | 147 (22.8%) |
| G259C | 15 (1.1%) | 6 (0.9%) | 9 (1.4%) |
| G259T | 108 (8.3%) | 44 (6.7%) | 64 (9.9%) |
| Mutation Pattern | Total (n = 4019) | Male (n = 1882) | Female (n = 2137) | p-Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No detected mutations | 2240 (55.7%) | 970 (51.5%) | 1270 (59.4%) | <0.001 |
| Any mutation | 1779 (44.3%) | 912 (48.5%) | 867 (40.6%) | <0.001 |
| 23S rRNA only | 473 (11.8%) | 252 (13.4%) | 221 (10.3%) | 0.003 |
| parC only | 526 (13.1%) | 245 (13%) | 281 (13.1%) | 0.906 |
| 23S rRNA + parC | 780 (19.4%) | 415 (22.1%) | 365 (17.1%) | <0.001 |
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2026 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.
Share and Cite
Lim, H.-J.; Hong, Y.-T.; Baek, S.-H.; Park, M.-Y.; Kim, M.-J.; Sohn, Y.-H.; Yang, Y.-J. Prevalence and Distribution of Antimicrobial Resistance-Associated Mutations in Mycoplasma genitalium Identified Through Routine Molecular Diagnostics in Korea. Microorganisms 2026, 14, 665. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14030665
Lim H-J, Hong Y-T, Baek S-H, Park M-Y, Kim M-J, Sohn Y-H, Yang Y-J. Prevalence and Distribution of Antimicrobial Resistance-Associated Mutations in Mycoplasma genitalium Identified Through Routine Molecular Diagnostics in Korea. Microorganisms. 2026; 14(3):665. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14030665
Chicago/Turabian StyleLim, Ho-Jae, Yoon-Taek Hong, Seung-Hui Baek, Min-Young Park, Min-Jin Kim, Yong-Hak Sohn, and Yong-Jin Yang. 2026. "Prevalence and Distribution of Antimicrobial Resistance-Associated Mutations in Mycoplasma genitalium Identified Through Routine Molecular Diagnostics in Korea" Microorganisms 14, no. 3: 665. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14030665
APA StyleLim, H.-J., Hong, Y.-T., Baek, S.-H., Park, M.-Y., Kim, M.-J., Sohn, Y.-H., & Yang, Y.-J. (2026). Prevalence and Distribution of Antimicrobial Resistance-Associated Mutations in Mycoplasma genitalium Identified Through Routine Molecular Diagnostics in Korea. Microorganisms, 14(3), 665. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14030665

