Ureaplasma urealyticum
| Ureaplasma urealyticum | |
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| Species: | U. urealyticum
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| Binomial name | |
| Ureaplasma urealyticum Shepard et al., 1974
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Ureaplasma urealyticum is a bacterium belonging to the family Mycoplasmataceae. Its type strain is T960.
Clinical significance
U. urealyticum is part of the normal genital flora of both men and women. It is found in about 70% of sexually active humans.
It had also been described to be associated with a number of diseases in humans, including non-specific urethritis (NSU), infertility, chorioamnionitis, stillbirth, premature birth, and, in the perinatal period, pneumonia, bronchopulmonary displasia[1] and meningitis.
However, given the relatively low pathogenicity of the organism its role in some of these diseases remains contentious.
Classification
There are six recognised Ureaplasma species, They have a GC content of 27-30%, and a genome size ranging between 0.76-1.17 Mbp, and cholesterol is required for growth. A defining characteristic of the genus is that they perform urea hydrolysis.
It is now recommended that some strains originally classified as Ureaplasma urealyticum should be treated as a new species, U. parvum.
Treatment
Since Ureaplasma urealyticum infections present with urethritis (painful urination) just like Chlamydia and Gonorrhea infections would (it's common to get two or even all three of these at the same time), all three are treated together. A single shot of intramuscular ceftriaxone for Gonorrhea, and either a week-long course of daily oral doxycycline or a single oral dose of azithromycin will take care of Chlamydia and Ureaplasma.
Penicillin is ineffective -- these bacteria don't have a cell wall, which is the target of penicillin.
References
- ^ Kafetzis DA, Skevaki CL, Skouteri V; et al. (2004). "Maternal genital colonization with Ureaplasma urealyticum promotes preterm delivery: association of the respiratory colonization of premature infants with chronic lung disease and increased mortality". Clin. Infect. Dis. 39 (8): 1113–22. doi:10.1086/424505. PMID 15486833.
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External links
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