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

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) and Mycoplasma genitalium (Mg) have significant implications both at the individual and societal levels. Our study evaluated various co-factors associated with persistent serum IgG-antibodies to Ct and Mg. Three hundred and twenty nine pregnant women and 135 men from the Finnish Family HPV study were analyzed for serum IgG-antibodies of pGP3 for Ct and MgPa and rMgPa for Mg using multiplex serology. Seropersistence to both Ct and Mg 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, the practice of anal sex, and a history of diagnosed Ct were associated with seropersistence to Ct 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 of 20 was the main risk factor for seropersistence among women with Mg, adjusted OR range from 5.0 to 12.3 (95%CI range 1.17-100.90) and in men only with 6-10 partners for Ct, adjusted OR 12.6 (95%CI 1.55-102.49). To conclude, persistent Ct antibodies were associated with various sexual activities, and Mg seropositivity was mainly associated with increased sexual activity in early adulthood.