Ureaplasma urealyticum infection

Ureaplasma urealyticum is a species of bacteria that belongs to the family Mycoplasmataceae. It is one of the smallest free-living organisms and is unique among bacteria in that it lacks a cell wall. This characteristic makes it naturally resistant to many common antibiotics such as penicillin or other beta-lactam antibiotics that target cell wall synthesis. Ureaplasma urealyticum is often found in the human urogenital tract as part of the normal microbiota.

Infection

Ureaplasma urealyticum can cause infection in the urogenital tract. The bacteria can be transmitted through sexual contact and can cause urethritis, cervicitis, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women. In men, it can cause non-gonococcal urethritis and prostatitis.

In addition to these infections, Ureaplasma urealyticum has also been associated with pregnancy complications such as preterm birth, chorioamnionitis, and neonatal respiratory diseases.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection is typically made through culture of the bacteria from a urine or swab sample. However, because the bacteria is often present in the urogenital tract without causing disease, the presence of the bacteria alone is not enough to diagnose an infection. Instead, diagnosis is made based on the presence of symptoms in addition to the presence of the bacteria.

Treatment

Treatment of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection typically involves antibiotics such as tetracyclines, macrolides, or quinolones. However, resistance to these antibiotics has been reported, so susceptibility testing is often done to determine the most effective antibiotic for treatment.

See also

• Mycoplasma
• Urogenital infection
• Sexually transmitted infection