Risk factors associated with IgG seropersistence to Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium

Abstract

<p>Sexually transmitted infections caused by<i> Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct)</i> and <i>Mycoplasma genitalium (Mg) </i>have significant implications both at the individual and societal levels. Our study evaluated various co-factors associations with persistent serum IgG-antibodies to <i>Ct </i>and <i>Mg</i>. 329 pregnant women and 135 men from the Finnish Family HPV study were analysed for serum IgG-antibodies of pGP3 for <i>Ct </i>and MgPa and rMgPa for <i>Mg </i>using multiplex serology. Seropersistence to both <i>Ct </i>and <i>Mg </i>was more common in women (30.4% and 13.3%) than in men (17.4% and 5.3%). The number of lifetime sexual partners above 10, practice of anal sex, and history of diagnosed <i>Ct </i>were associated with seropersistence to <i>Ct </i>in women, adjusted ORs 5.6 (95%CI 1.39-22.29), 15.3 (95%CI 1.18-197.12) and 18.0 (95%CI 5.59-57.92), respectively. The increasing number of partners before the age f 20 was the main risk factor for seropersistence among women with <i>Mg</i>, adjusted OR range from 5.0 to 12.3 (95%CI range 1.17-100.90) and in men only with 6 to 10 partners for <i>Ct</i>, adjusted OR 12.6 (95%CI 1.55-102.49). To conclude, persistent <i>Ct </i>antibodies were associated with various sexual activities, and <i>Mg </i>seropositivity was mainly associated with increased sexual activity in early 34 adulthood.<br></p>