How to test for Mycoplasma genitalium

Written and reviewed by Slava Fuzayloff | Published on June 14, 2024

How do you get tested for Mycoplasma genitalium(aka Mgen)?

Mycoplasma genitalium testing can be done via urine or vaginal or urethral swab. [2] Mycoplasma genitalium https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/mycoplasmagenitalium.htm

A limited number of commercially available tests exist.

What is the actual name for the Mycoplasma genitalium test?

It is called the rRNA TMA test. It uses nucleic acid amplification (NAAT) for the qualitative detection of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) from Mycoplasma genitalium [1] Latest Advances in Laboratory Detection of Mycoplasma genitalium https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10035321/

How accurate is the mycoplasma genitalium test?

The accuracy of the mycoplasma test depends on the type of tests performed and the area tested. Overall, a swab test is more accurate than a urine test.

This is the test accuracy for different genders and test types

✓ The vaginal swab is 96.6 %

✓ Female urine test is 83.1 %

✓ The male meatal swab test (swab of the tip of the penis) is 100%

✓ Male urine test is 85%

Why don’t doctors test for Mycoplasma genitalium?

Mycoplasma genitalium or Mgen test is not a routinely performed test by doctors for a few reasons:

✓ Not many regular tests, such as culture, can be performed. The bacterial concentration in the urine and swab is very low and can take weeks to isolate.

✓ The NAAT test has become available since 2006