The Natural History of Mycoplasma genitalium at the Pharynx and Rectum in a Cohort of Men who have Sex with Men: Prevalence, Incidence, Duration and Symptomatology

Rectal and pharyngeal MG was common in this cohort. Half of the rectal MG infections persisted for nearly a year; many remained positive on week 48 suggesting persistence beyond one year. Pharyngeal infection persisted three months. The absence of symptoms or other morbidity in most infections suggests testing for MG at these sites would have uncertain individual benefit.