From the Guidelines
Yes, partner treatment is recommended for mycoplasma infections. The most recent and highest quality study, 1, emphasizes the importance of treating sex partners to prevent reinfection of the index patient and infection of other partners. According to this study, patients should be instructed to abstain from sexual intercourse until they and their sex partners have completed treatment, which should be continued for at least 7 days after a single-dose regimen or after completion of a 7-day regimen.
Key Considerations
- Partner treatment is essential to prevent reinfection and reduce the risk of complications, as highlighted in 1 and supported by earlier studies such as 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, and 1.
- The recommended approach involves evaluating and treating sexual partners from the past 60 days with the same antibiotic regimen as the infected person, even if they do not have symptoms.
- Patients should abstain from sexual activity until both they and their partners have completed treatment and symptoms have resolved, typically for at least 7 days after finishing antibiotics, as advised in 1 and 1.
Treatment Approach
The treatment typically involves a two-step approach, although the exact regimen may vary based on the specific guidelines and the presence of any antibiotic resistance. The general principle, as supported by the studies, is to ensure that both the infected individual and their sexual partners are treated simultaneously to prevent reinfection and the spread of the disease.
Prevention of Reinfection and Complications
Treating sex partners is crucial in preventing reinfection, as many reinfections can be traced back to the original source of infection, and in preventing the development of complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), as noted in 1. This approach not only helps in managing the current infection but also in reducing the further transmission of the disease within communities, as emphasized in 1.
From the Research
Partner Treatment for Mycoplasma Infections
- Partner treatment is often recommended for sexually transmitted infections, including mycoplasma infections, to prevent reinfection and reduce transmission 2, 3.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that partners of individuals with mycoplasma infections be treated simultaneously, even if they are asymptomatic 4.
- A study published in the Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases found that treating partners of individuals with mycoplasma infections reduced the risk of reinfection by 80% 2.
- Another study published in the International Journal of STD & AIDS found that partner treatment was associated with a higher cure rate and lower risk of treatment failure 5.
Treatment Options for Mycoplasma Infections
- Azithromycin is the recommended first-line treatment for mycoplasma infections, with a cure rate of 85-90% 2, 4.
- Doxycycline is an alternative treatment option, but it has a lower cure rate and is often associated with treatment failure 4, 6.
- Moxifloxacin is a second-line treatment option for macrolide-resistant mycoplasma infections, but its efficacy has decreased in recent years due to emerging resistance 5, 6.
- Pristinamycin and solithromycin are potential treatment options for multidrug-resistant mycoplasma infections, but further clinical studies are needed to determine their efficacy and optimal dosing schedules 6.
Special Considerations for Partner Treatment
- Pregnant women with mycoplasma infections should be treated with azithromycin, as it is safe and effective during pregnancy 3.
- Breastfeeding women with mycoplasma infections can be treated with azithromycin, but the safety and efficacy of other treatment options during breastfeeding are unclear 3.
- Partner treatment should be individualized based on the patient's medical history, allergy status, and other factors, such as pregnancy or breastfeeding 2, 3.