The Bacterium
Ureaplasma urealyticum is a bacterium belonging to the family Mycoplasmataceae. It has very small dimension and it doesn’t have the cell wall. It prefers and conolizes bodily mucosa, especially the one in the genital tract. Anyway, it’s possible to find small colonies of Ureaplasma erealyticum even at pharynx and rectum tract.
Clinical manifestations
In men, the Ureoplasma urealyticum provokes especially urethritis. Symptoms can be attributable to an excessive proliferation of Ureaplasma urealyticum and they mainly consist in a burning sensation and a white and stringy secret from the glans penis. From the urethra, the infection can easily propagate to every linked structure, such as prostate and testicles, provoking respectively prostatitis and epidimitis. These infections, if they’re not rightly treated, can seriously compromise the fertility. In women, the Ureoplasma urealyticum can be present in low concentration in the vaginal micro-flora with the lactobacillus (in normal conditions they obstruct the excessive proliferation). However, an unchecked growth of Ureoplasma can take to a bacterial vaginosis, to a pelvic inflammation and to an urethral syndrome. Even in this case, if it’s not treated, the infection can compromise the fertility. The ureoplasma can be transmitted both via sexual vaginal, anal or oral contacts and via mother-fetus (during the pregnancy or at birth). The transmitted infection mother-child during the pregnancy increases aborts, precocious births and other problems to the fetus risk. In immune-compromised patients the infection can extend and interest kidneys and bones (arthritis).
Test
The highlight of the Ureaplasma urealyticum by means of PCR is a very specific and sensible method.
Sample taking
Urogenital smear, ejaculated, biopsy.
