*1Ezeanya-Bakpa, C. C., 2Agbakoba, N. R., 2Udeogu, C. V., 2Uduchi, I. O., 3Oguejiofor, C. B., and 2Ekelozie, I. S.
1Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Caleb University, Lagos, Nigeria
2Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
3Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria
*Correspondence to: cc.ezeanya@gmail.com; chinyere.bakpa@calebuniversity.edu.ng; +234 8068917612; ORCID: //orcid.org/0000–0002–7844–7414 Abstract:
Studies on genital mycoplasmas (GM) role in gynaecologic cancers (GC) such as cervical, endometrial, ovarian, vaginal, vulva and fallopian tube, is limited. This review was conducted to evaluate an association between GM and GC. The systematic study was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines across online databases including Embase, Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception to August, 2022. We included crosssectional and case-control studies examining possible connection of GM infection and development of GC, and all evidence-based studies with likely association between GM infection and incidence of GC were studied. Selection criteria aided identification, screening, and risk of bias assessment. Thirteen studies with at least moderate risk of bias, were included. The most commonly associated GMs was Mycoplasma genitalium followed by Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis. Studies reported disease advancement with GMs most especially in cases of co-infection. The most associated GCs were cervical, ovarian and endometrial. Infection with U. urealyticum, M. hominis, and M. genitalium was associated with cervical cancer risk (OR 1.31-1.41), and M. hominis and M. genitalium had associated risk with ovarian (RR 0.93-1.92) and endometrial cancer (OR 1.36- 2.07). No association was found with vaginal, vulva and fallopian tube cancers.
Keywords: Genital mycoplasma, gynaecologic cancer, cervical cancer, association, infection
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Genital mycoplasmas and gynaecologic cancer: A systematic review