PURPOSE: Because of the inconsistent symptoms associated with Ureaplasma infections, their clinical significances in genitourinary tracts are under debate. Therefore, we evaluated the presence of Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) and Ureaplasma parvum (UP) in urine samples and examined their associations with chronic prostatitis (CP) through a case and control study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 696 nonchlamydial nongonococcal (NCNG) urine samples from men; 350 were categorized into non-inflammatory CP, 88 in inflammatory CP, and 258 in non-CP group. We amplified a region in the Ureaplasma urease areas from these samples and determined their biovars using the Sanger method. RESULTS: Among the NCNG population, the rates of UU, UP, and non-UU/UP were 3.88%, 6.46%, and 89.66%, respectively. The overall infection rates of non-CP, inflammatory CP, and non-inflammatory CP groups were 4.15%, 6.10%, and 3.65% in UU (p=0.612) and 6.85%, 7.22%, and 6.50% in UP (p=0.968), respectively. UU infection increased the risk of white blood cell (WBC) counts (≥5) in urine (p=0.005). In contrast, UP infections did not increase the risks of urethritis. Re-analysis from the 633 men who were excluded from urethritis effects did not reveal the associations between UU infection and the clinical characteristics of CP. Furthermore, the profiles from the National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index questionnaire and WBC counts in expressed prostatic secretion were similar among the non-CP and the two CP groups in each Ureaplasma infection. CONCLUSIONS: We found that UU may induce male urethritis. However, Ureapalsma species in urine were not definitively associated with the occurrence of CP.
Academies and Institutes ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; Male ; Methods ; Prostate ; Prostatitis ; Ureaplasma Infections ; Ureaplasma urealyticum ; Ureaplasma ; Urease ; Urethritis

There is controversy regarding the roles of Ureaplasma urealyticum (U. urealyticum) colonization in the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). This study explored the association between U. urealyticum and bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 36 weeks post-menstrual age (BPD36). Studies published before December 31, 2013 were searched from Medline, Embase, Ovid, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases, with the terms "Ureaplasma urealyticum", "chronic lung disease", or "BPD36" used, and English language as a limit. The association between U. urealyticum colonization and BPD36 was analyzed with RevMan 4.2.10 software, using the odds ratio (OR) and relative risk (RR) for dichotomous variables. Out of the enrolled 81 studies, 11 investigated the BPD36 in total 1193 infants. Pooled studies showed no association between U. urealyticum colonization and subsequent development of BPD36, with the OR and RR being 1.03 (95% CI=0.78-1.37; P=0.84) and 1.01 (95% CI= 0.88-1.16, P=0.84), respectively. These findings indicated no association between U. urealyticum colonization and the development of BPD36.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; complications ; microbiology ; pathology ; Humans ; Ureaplasma Infections ; complications ; microbiology ; pathology ; Ureaplasma urealyticum ; growth & development ; pathogenicity

Although numerous clinical observational studies have been conducted over a period of over 30 years, the clinical significance of Ureaplasma infection is still under debate. The Ureaplasma speices. is a commensal in the female genital tract and considered to have of low virulence; however, Ureaplasma colonization has been associated with infertility, stillbirth, preterm delivery, histologic chorioamnionitis, and neonatal morbidities, including congenital pneumonia, meningitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and perinatal death. Recently, Ureaplasma was subdivided into 2 separate species and 14 serovars. Ureaplasma parvum is known as biovar 1 and contains serovars 1, 3, 6, and 14, and Ureaplasma urealyticum (biovar 2) contains the remaining serovars (2, 4, 5, and 7-13). The existence of differences in pathogenicities of these 14 serovars and 2 biovars is controversial. Although macrolides are the only antimicrobial agents currently available for use in neonatal ureaplasmal infections, in the current clinical field, it is difficult to make decisions regarding which antibiotics should be used. Future investigations involving large, multicenter, randomized, controlled studies are needed before proper recommendations can be made for clinical practice.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Chorioamnionitis ; Colon ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infertility ; Macrolides ; Meningitis ; Pneumonia ; Pregnancy ; Stillbirth ; Ureaplasma ; Ureaplasma Infections ; Ureaplasma urealyticum

The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of genital mycoplasmas, especially Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum, in women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) and high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), compared to women with normal cytology living in Katowice, Poland. Two sterile swabs were used to obtain material from the posterior vaginal fornix of 143 women with squamous intraepithelial lesions and 39 healthy women: first for general bacteriology, second for detection of urogenital mycoplasmas using Mycoplasma IST2 kit. From each positive Mycoplasma IST2 culture DNA was isolated and PCR was performed for identification of U. parvum and U. urealyticum. Mycoplasma IST was positive in 34.1% cases. Urogenital mycoplasmas were demonstrated in women with HSIL significantly more often compared to women with LSIL, ASCUS, and with normal cytology. DNA of U. parvum was demonstrated in majority of Mycoplasma IST2-positive cases, U. urealyticum DNA-only in 9 (4.9%). Predominance of 3/14 serovars of U. parvum was demonstrated. U. urealyticum biovar 2 was present more often in women with squamous intraepithelial lesions.
Adult ; Animals ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Poland/epidemiology ; Pregnancy ; Ureaplasma/*genetics ; Ureaplasma Infections/epidemiology/*microbiology ; Ureaplasma urealyticum/*genetics ; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia/*microbiology/pathology

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the effects of two different macrolide prophylaxis protocols (prenatal and postnatal) for Ureaplasma on the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 121 preterm infants whose birth weights were <1,250 g or gestational ages were <30 postmenstrual weeks. The demographic and clinical characteristics, including the presence of BPD, were compared between a prophylactic group, who received macrolide as prophylaxis prenatally and postnatally according to risk level, and a confirmed treatment group, who received macrolide prenatally and postnatally after detection of Ureaplasma infection. RESULTS: Seventy-four (61.2%) of 121 preterm infants were included in the prenatal prophylaxis group. No significant differences in demographic characteristics were observed between the prenatal prophylaxis and prenatal confirmed treatment group. The detection rate of Ureaplasma and the frequency of postnatal therapeutic treatment with macrolide were lower in the prenatal prophylaxis group than in the prenatal confirmed treatment group (16.2% vs. 40.4%, P=0.003; 8.1% vs. 48.9%, P< 0.001, respectively). Although no significant differences in the incidence of moderate to severe BPD, the rate of severe BPD was lower in the prenatal prophylaxis group than in prenatal confirmed treatment group (18.9% vs. 40.4%, P=0.010). No significant differences in the incidences of BPD of any level of severity were observed between the postnatal prophylaxis and confirmed treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Administration of prenatal prophylaxis with macrolide decreased the detection rate of Ureaplasma after birth and was associated with the decrease in the incidence of severe BPD in preterm infants.
Birth Weight ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia* ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Macrolides ; Parturition ; Retrospective Studies ; Ureaplasma Infections ; Ureaplasma*

PURPOSE: To evaluate urinary tract infections that are caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum(U. urealyticum) in female patients, we compared the positive reculture rate and the improvement of acute lower urinary tract symptoms after treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics. MATERIALS AND METHODSaterials and Methods: From January 2006 to June 2007, 89 female patients who were experiencing acute lower urinary tract symptoms were culture positive for U. urealyticum culture, but they were negative on routine urine culture. U. urealyticum reculture after a 7 day regimen of broad spectrum antibiotic treatment and evaluation of symptoms were conducted in 74 patients. RESULTS: The symptoms improved in 35 patients(mean age: 44.0 years), but they did not improve in 39 patients(mean age: 44.1 years). A significant difference in the reculture rate of U. urealyticum was evident between the improved symptom group(40%) and the persistent symptom group (87.2%). Of the 39 patients in the latter group, 22 improved after treatment with anti-ureaplasma antibiotics, including azithromycin and doxycycline. CONCLUSIONS: The continued presence of U. urealyticum correlates with persistent acute lower urinary tract symptoms after broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment. Culture examination for U. urealyticum should be considered for those female patients with persistent acute lower urinary tract symptoms after treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Azithromycin ; Female ; Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Polyenes ; Ureaplasma ; Ureaplasma urealyticum ; Urinary Tract ; Urinary Tract Infections

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between Ureaplasma urealyticum infection and infertility in Chinese males.

METHODSAccording to the results of the heterogeneity test, a comprehensive quantitative analysis was made of 49 papers on Ureaplasma urealyticum infection and Chinese male infertility by RevMan 4.2.2. The impacts of different sample volumes on the research findings were compared, and the sensitivities of culture and PCR detections analyzed respectively.

RESULTSUreaplasma urealyticum had a significant negative impact on Chinese male fertility. Based on different samples of literature, two rounds of screening and analysis were carried out and two different conclusions derived. The first was OR = 4.43 (95% CI: 3.77-5.22), with the OR values of culture and PCR detections as 4.25 (95% CI: 3.59-5.03) and 5.35 (95% CI: 3.37-8.47), and the second was OR = 4.28 (95% CI: 3.52-5.20), with the OR values of culture and PCR detections as 4.24 (95% CI: 3.41-5.28) and 4.42 (95% CI: 2.73-7.17).

CONCLUSIONThere is a significant correlation between Ureaplasma urealyticum and Chinese male infertility. The conclusion of study is significantly influenced by the sample volume, which should be reasonably designed. The sensitivity of PCR detection is higher than that of culture detection.

China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; epidemiology ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Ureaplasma Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Ureaplasma urealyticum ; genetics ; isolation & purification

Adult ; Culture Media ; classification ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mycoplasma Infections ; microbiology ; Mycoplasma hominis ; growth & development ; Ureaplasma Infections ; microbiology ; Ureaplasma urealyticum ; growth & development ; Urethra ; microbiology ; Vaginal Smears

OBJECTIVE: A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed in the detection of Chlamydia(C) trachomatis, Mycoplasma(M) hominis and Ureaplasma(U) urealyticum, which have been common causes of sexual transmitted diseases in the female genital tracts and in neonatal infection. To investigate tbe frequency of these organisms in the female genital tract infection and to know any association of these infections with clinical manifestations, PCR was performed. METHODS: PCR was performed in 300 cases of vaginal swabs and 154 paraffin embedded tissues including 50 cases of chronic endometritis, 50 cases of cleonic salpingitis, 50 cases of ectopic tubal pregnancy and 4 cases of normal endometrium. RESULTS: Among 300 cases of vaginal swabs, C. trachomatis, M. hominis and U. urealyticum were detected in 1.3%, 4.0%, and 29.6%, respectively. Mixed infection was found in 12.0%. the overall positive rate was 47.0%. The cytologic features from C. trachomatis, M. hominis and U. urealyticum positive patients revealed no specific findings. The clinical manifestations between positive and negative cases for these organisms had no differences. In tissue samples, only C. trachomatis was detected 2% of chronic endometritis, 8% of chronic salpingitis and 4% of ectopic tubal pregnancy. CONCLUSION: With the above results, it suggests C. trachomatis can evoke an ascending chronic infection of the female genital tracts and ectopic tubal pegnancy,
Chlamydia trachomatis* ; Chlamydia* ; Coinfection ; Endometritis ; Endometrium ; Female* ; Humans ; Mycoplasma hominis* ; Mycoplasma* ; Paraffin* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Tubal ; Reproductive Tract Infections* ; Salpingitis ; Ureaplasma urealyticum* ; Ureaplasma*

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), and Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) in first-voided urine samples and to determine the factors associated with positivity for sexually transmissible microorganisms in healthy, middle-aged Korean men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five hundred fifty-one men who came to the hospital for a general prostate health checkup were tested between August 2011 and December 2011. PCR assays for CT, NG, MG, and UU were done with first-voided urine samples and the prevalence of microorganism positivity and association with several clinical parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of the men studied was 50.8+/-4.7 years. Among the 551 men, 72 (13.1%) had a positive result for at least one microorganism; one (0.2%) had two different species. The overall prevalence of asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections was 11.1% (61/551). The prevalence rates of CT, NG, MG, and UU infection in the general population were 0.4% (2/551), 0.0% (0/551), 1.0% (6/551), and 11.8% (65/551), respectively. CT-positive patients had a lower mean age than did CT-negative patients. There were no significant differences in symptoms by positivity of each microorganism. CONCLUSIONS: We checked the prevalence rates of four microorganisms, the proportion of symptomatic people, and the association of microbes, age, and symptoms, as the baseline data for Korean middle-aged men. In this population, CT, NG, MG, and UU infections do not seem to be symptomatic. However, the potential role of CT in young men and of UU in middle-aged men with a high rate of detection should be studied continuously as a source of opportunistic infection.
Chlamydia ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mycoplasma genitalium ; Neisseria gonorrhoeae ; Opportunistic Infections ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Porphyrins ; Prevalence ; Prostate ; Ureaplasma ; Ureaplasma urealyticum