The emerging sexually transmitted infection Mycoplasma genitalium has gained considerable attention in recent years due to a marked increase in antimicrobial resistance.

M. genitalium belongs to the genus Mycoplasma, which are the smallest prokaryocytes capable of self-replication.¹

The organism was first isolated in 1981 during studies of non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU). It is fastidious in nature and difficult to grow in culture.

Until recently, diagnostic testing has been limited to laboratories developing in-house PCR assays. However, two commercial assays received TGA approval in 2017 and are now in use in laboratories throughout Australia.