Mycoplasma genitalium, known as MG, was first discovered in 1980.
However, new research by British scientists has found that it is passed through unprotected sex.
A report published in the International Journal of Epidemiology detailing the discovery says that an estimated one per cent of people in the UK aged 16 to 44 are thought to be affected by MG.
There is currently no routine screening for the infection in the UK or Jersey.
Dr Ivan Muscat, the Hospital’s consultant microbiologist, said that it was not possible to give a precise figure for the number of people locally who have been affected by MG, but believes that it would be the same or less than in England.
‘Overall STI rates in Jersey are around half of the equivalent English figure,’ he said.
‘There is no routine testing or screening in the UK or Jersey at the moment.
‘MG has previously been known to cause discharge, testicular and pelvic pain and bleeding after sex in women, although many sufferers have no symptoms at all.
And scientists believe the infection plays a role in urethritis and epididymitis in men and cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease in women.
Studies are currently underway to establish a specific diagnosis, which Dr Muscat says is needed because the treatment of MG requires the use of a certain type of antibiotic which should only be used when necessary to avoid building up a resistance to the drugs.
‘It should be stressed that the overwhelming majority, we estimate more than 99 per cent, of those who are sexually active will not have MG.
‘Other STIs remain important too, whether they are localised – infections that affect the genital organs such as chlamydia, or generalised – infections which lead on to wider effects on a person’s health such as HIV and syphilis.
‘The use of condoms to prevent transmission of STIs is as always highly recommended.’
He said that the MG report that was published in England is a study rather than STI data and because of this and the way testing is done in Jersey, it would be ‘inappropriate’ to discuss local data.
He said that further study was needed to determine the correct way of testing for the infection.
For more information about STIs contact the GUM clinic at the Hospital.
