Genital mycoplasmas and gynaecologic cancer: A systematic review

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.