Molecular detection of cytokines in infertile and fertile women infected with Mycoplasma genitalium in diyala governorate

Although the pathogenic role of M. genitalium in male urethritis is clear, fewer studies have been conducted among women to determine its pathogenic role in the female reproductive tract. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an important cause of infertility and ectopic pregnancy, and Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are recognized microbial causes. Emerging data demonstrate an association between M. genitalium and PID, and limited data suggest associations with infertility and preterm birth. Since no previous study on the association between M. genitalium infection and infertility in women in Diyala province, so this study was suggested and also to investigate the role of certain cytokines in the pathogenesis of infertility. The present study was conducted in Diyala Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Children for the period from January 2021- October 2021. Included women were divided into two groups; 80 were fertile and another 80 were non-fertile. Generally the age of included women was 20 - 45 years. A total of 160 samples were collected; 72 were vaginal secretion and 88 were pap smears. From each study group 36 samples were vaginal secretion and 44 were Pap smear. Specimens were collected by gynecologist, and kept in cool box during delivery to laboratory, then they were kept frozen under -20°C. Furthermore, blood samples were collected from all women included in this study. Blood samples were poured in EDTA tubes and kept in 4°C. Human privacy was respected by obtaining verbal consent from each participant. The. M. genitalium was diagnosed by detection of 16S RNA gene using conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Blood samples from 30 women who gave positive for 16 S RNA gene were submitted for detection of Mega 1 gene, Ftsz gene and Mraz gene of cytokines using conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The results were found that 35 (21.8%) of the vaginal secretion and Pap smears had positive detection of 16 S RNA gene. The detection rate among fertile women was 10 (28.57%), while the detection rate among non-fertile women was 25 (71.42%). This result may signify the role of M. genitalium infection in developing infertility among women in our society. Accordingly, this study point out to the possible role of M. genitalium in the pathogenesis of infertility, suggesting that the detection of this pathogen should be included in the routine screening of infertility causes among women in Diyala province.