Detection and Isolation of Genital Mycoplasmas from Public Toilet Bowls

ABSTRACT

Genital mycoplasmas are sexually transmitted. There are considerable public concern that causative agents of sexually transmitted diseases might be transmitted nonsexually through public restrooms. In the present study, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum and M. penetrans among genital mycoplasmas were identified in 100 public restroom toilet bowls (50 men's and 50 women's public restrooms, each). Mycoplasmas were genotypically identified by two methods; (1) PCR of primary selective culture and (2) direct PCR of original specimens before primary selective culture. From 50 men's public restrooms, M. hominis, U. urealyticum and M. penetrans were identified from PCR of primary selective cultures in 6%, 4% and 0% of the specimens, respectively and M. hominis and U. urealyticum was codetected in 2% of those. And M. hominis, U. urealyticum and M. penetrans were identified by direct PCR in 20%, 16% and 0% of the original specimens, respectively and co-detection rate of M. hominis and U. urealyticum was 4% in those. From 50 women's public restrooms, 38% was positive for M. hominis, 14% for U. urealyticum, 0% for M. penetrans and 10% for both U. urealyticum and M. penetrans by PCR of primary selective culture. And 50% was positive for M. hominis, 46% for U. urealyticum and 0% for M. penetrans and 34% for both M. hominis and U. urealyticum by direct PCR of the original specimens. These results indicate that the genital mycoplasmas can survive for considerable duration in toilet bowels, and might be transmitted by through public restrooms.