Ureaplasma/Mycoplasma hominis Culture

Ureaplasma/Mycoplasma hominis Culture (also referred to as Ureaplasma culture or Mycoplasma hominis genital culture) is used to document infection with these genital mycoplasmas in clinical settings such as suspected urethritis, cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, prostatitis, and epididymo-orchitis. It is also applied in perinatal contexts, including neonatal respiratory disease or evaluation of possible meningitis. The test assists with differential diagnosis when standard testing for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Mycoplasma genitalium is negative. When clinically warranted, follow-up culture can be performed to assess microbiologic response to antibacterial therapy.

Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis are sexually transmitted genital mycoplasmas that may be carried without symptoms. They are implicated in non-gonococcal urethritis, chronic prostatitis, epididymo-orchitis, endometritis, adnexitis, cystitis, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Coinfection with other genital pathogens is frequent, including organisms such as gonococci, trichomonads, and ureaplasmas. During pregnancy, Mycoplasma hominis has been linked to adverse outcomes such as preterm delivery and postpartum endometritis. Neonates can experience serious complications, including sepsis or meningitis, and may have respiratory tract involvement. Detection must be interpreted in clinical context because colonization does not necessarily indicate disease. Due to the fastidious nature of these organisms, culture may be negative even when infection is present.