Ureaplasma urealyticum

MICROBIOLOGY

• Among the smallest bacteria, it lacks a cell wall [Fig 1].
  • Member of Mycoplasmataceae family.
  • It may be a normal component of male/female genital flora.
  • Found generally on genital mucosal surfaces in the majority of sexually active adults.
• Media for growth must contain cholesterol (tissue culture conditions needed); the organism hydrolyzes urea--hence its name.
  • Usually sub-cultured to blood agar plate for identification. Ureaplasma colonies are pinpoint-sized.
• Seventeen species are recognized from humans, with four as most often implicated: usually, species can only distinguish in clinical samples by PCR.
  
  • Ureaplasma parvum (Up): most commonly isolated, considered vaginal commensal.
    
  • Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu): considered most virulent, especially in urethritis, afflicting men, although one large study found a lack of association with symptoms[6].
    • Association with other disease entities, such as PID, is less robust.