Ureaplasma urealyticum–harmless commensal or underestimated enemy of human reproduction? A review

Abstract

This article reviews the role, diagnosis and treatment of Ureaplasma infections in human reproduction.

The prevalence of urogenital micro-organisms detected by a multiplex PCR–reverse line blot assay in women attending three sexual health clinics in Sydney, Australia

“…The highest rates of detection were in the 20-29-year age group, which corresponds with the age of highest risk for STIs . The most commonly detected organisms were G. vaginalis (50.9 %), U. parvum (47.7 %) and U. urealyticum (25.0 %) at rates comparable to those reported by others among similar populations (Fox et al, 1999;Volgmann et al, 2005;Wang, 2000).…”

Current Status of the Mollicute (Mycoplasma) Lung Disease: Pathogenesis, Diagnostics, Treatment and Prevention

“…Although U. urealyticum and U. parvum are common commensals of the urogenital tract of humans, they are considered as important pathogens associated with infertility and nonwww.intechopen.com gonococcal urethritis in men, multiple obstetrical complications in women, and neonatal lung disease [Viscardi, 2010;Volgmann et al, 2005;. Genital ureaplasmas are natural residents of male urethra contaminating the semen during ejaculation.…”

“…Ureaplasmas can survive in the reproductive tract for many years, undetected, until the patient is specifically tested for the infection. U. urealyticum is recovered from the lower genital tract of 70-80% of pregnant women (Carey et al, 1991;Volgmann, 2005), but vaginal carriage is not reliably predictive of preterm birth (Kafetzis et al, 2004;Povlsen et al, 2001). However, there is a consistent association when the infection is present in the amniotic fluid, chorioamnion or placenta (Eschenbach, 1993;Kundsin et al, 1996;Yoon et al, 2000Yoon et al, , 2003.…”

Lung Diseases - Selected State of the Art Reviews

“…Although U. urealyticum and U. parvum are common commensals of the urogenital tract of humans, they are considered as important pathogens associated with infertility and non-gonococcal urethritis in men, multiple obstetrical complications in women, and neonatal lung disease [Viscardi, 2010;Volgmann et al, 2005;. Genital ureaplasmas are natural residents of male urethra contaminating the semen during ejaculation.…”