Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is an emerging sexually transmitted infection (STI) associated with pelvic inflammatory disease and tubal factor infertility. Its relationship with impaired fecundity remains unclear and is rarely examined in the context of co-seropositivity with other STIs. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of the Effects of Aspirin in Gestation and Reproduction (EAGeR) trial, a prospective preconception cohort of women with proven fecundity and prior pregnancy loss. MG serostatus was determined using Western blot-based IgG assays on 1146 stored serum specimens. Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and other STIs were also measured. Associations between MG seropositivity and measures of impaired fecundity were assessed.Pregnancy loss and live birth were modeled using inverse-probability weighted quasi-Poisson and unweighted log-binomial models to calculate relative risks (RR). Fecundability-odds-ratio (FOR) was estimated using a discrete Cox proportional hazards model accounting for left truncation and right censoring. Propensity score (PS) weighted versions of these models assessed risks associated with CT co-seropositivity. Analyses were adjusted for demographic and reproductive history variables. RESULTS: Overall, 17.1% (n=210) of participants were MG seropositive, with 27.6% (n=58) co-seropositive with CT. Compared to STI-seronegative women, MG seropositivity was not associated with any outcome, although trends were observed for reduced fecundability (FOR(adj): 0.87, 95% CI 0.70-1.08) and live birth (RR(adj): 0.94, 95% CI 0.79-1.11). Co-seropositivity with CT was associated with lower likelihood of live birth [Relative Risk (RR)(PS-weighted): 0.82, 95% CI: 0.70-0.96]. Sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of these findings. CONCLUSIONS: Being co-seropositive for MG and CT preconception may impair fecundity.