Ureaplasma urealyticum (also wrongly called ureaplasma ureaticum) is a types in the genus Ureaplasma that can cause infection. Though most germs have a cell wall, U urealyticum does not. It is discovered in about 70% of sexually active humans. It can be found in cultures in cases of pelvic inflammatory disease and is transmitted through sex or from mother to infant throughout birth. It is not a commensal of the healthy uterine or amniotic microbiome. Infection with U. realyticum can contribute neonatal infection and negative birth outcomes.
It is estimated that rather a large proportion of the sexually active population is contaminated with Ureaplasma without it causing any issues whatsoever. We do nevertheless conflict claims that over 70% of the UK population has this infection. Having processed countless urine samples throughout the years, it is nowhere near this level!
Symptoms of Ureaplasma Urealyticum Infection
Many people do not have any symptoms whatsoever and there is no evidence that Ureaplasma has any long term health repercussions for those who are asymptomatic. Where symptoms exist, these include:
- Burning experience when passing urine
- Urethral inflammation
- Uncommon vaginal discharge in women
- Urethral discharge in men
We sometimes come across female clients who have experienced chronic cystitis/urinary system infections that show no evidence on a culture of any bacterial organisms. When we test the urine for Ureaplasma utilizing PCR we then discover it to be present; so we believe that Ureaplasma can be linked in such cases.
Is Ureaplasma Dangerous?
Usually we would encourage that Ureaplasma is nothing to fret about although if an infection is causing outside symptoms, we would advise a course of prescription antibiotics. If one partner is having symptoms then we recommend treatment of the consort as the bacteria can be gone through sexual contact.
The jury is still out on whether Ureaplasma can cause long term issues but there is no genuine evidence to substantiate some of the scare stories on the web. We recommend that you do not read websites that have no medical support as there is information out there that is unsupported by empirical proof.
For Men
It had likewise been associated with a variety of illness in humans, including nonspecific urethritis, and infertility.
For Women and Babies
Infection in the newborn is accompanied by a strong immune response and is associated with the requirement for extended mechanical ventilation. Infection with U. urealyticum in pregnancy and birth can be made complex by chorioamnionitis, stillbirth, early birth, and, in the perinatal period, pneumonia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and meningitis. U. urealyticum has been discovered to be present in amniotic fluid in women who have had an early birth with intact fetal membranes.
Ureaplasma urealyticum has been noted as one of the transmittable causes of sterilized pyuria. It increases the morbidity as a cause of neonatal infections. It is connected with early birth, preterm rupture of membranes, preterm labor, cesarean section, placental inflammation, congenital pneumonia, bacteremia, meningitis, fetal lung injury and death of baby. Ureaplasma urealyticum is related to miscarriage.
How Is Ureaplasma Infection Detected
It is possible to test for Ureaplasma utilizing a urine sample or a vaginal swab. The urine sample or swab undergoes a PCR test that searches for the DNA of the germs. So long as the germs are present in the urine sample or swab (which they will be if you are contaminated and you take the sample as directed) then this test will produce a favorable result. The Ureaplasma test, results normally takes 36 hours to process. If you have symptoms then we recommend a broader screen such as our Full STI Screen, which evaluates for 7 infections that can cause the very same symptoms as Ureaplasma.
Treatment for Ureaplasma Urealyticum Infection
Fortunately, most of the times, Ureaplasma is simple to treat. If you wish to be retested then we advise waiting at least 3 weeks after treatment has actually been finished. Some people continue to experience symptoms after the infection has been cleared however these symptoms will disappear with time.
Doxycycline is the drug of choice, however azithromycin is likewise utilized as a five-day course rather than a single dose that would be used to treat Chlamydia infection; streptomycin is an option, but is less popular because it must be injected. Penicillins are inadequate — Ureaplasma urealyticum does not have a cell wall, which is the drug’s main target.
