Ureaplasma/Mycoplasma hominis Culture
Code:18014|CPT:87109|LOINC:17852-5, 15388-2
| Includes | Ureaplasma urealyticum Mycoplasma hominis |
|---|
Analysis details
Methodology
- Culture on selective media
- Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
Expected Turnaround Time
1–2 days
Special Instructions
- Collect the specimen before starting antimicrobial therapy.
- Women: schedule collection prior to menses or 2–3 days after menstruation ends.
- Men: avoid urination for 3 hours before urethral swab collection.
- Men: avoid both urination and genital cleansing for 6 hours before urine collection.
- Submit one specimen for each test ordered.
- Document the exact anatomic source of the specimen on the requisition.
- Provide the specific test number on the requisition.
How to use
The Ureaplasma/Mycoplasma hominis Culture (also known as Mycoplasma hominis culture or Ureaplasma culture) is used to establish or exclude infection in patients with urethritis, cervicitis, and other inflammatory conditions of the genitourinary tract. It contributes to differential diagnosis alongside testing for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Mycoplasma genitalium. It is also used to assess microbiologic response following antibacterial therapy and may be applied selectively for screening in reproductive care settings. On certain platforms, organism detection may be performed by real-time PCR rather than culture.
Limitations
Mycoplasma hominis colonizes mucosal epithelium and may adhere to spermatozoa. Transmission occurs predominantly through sexual contact, with possible vertical spread during pregnancy or at delivery. Both Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum behave as opportunistic pathogens associated with nongonococcal urethritis, chronic prostatitis, epididymo-orchitis, endometritis, adnexitis, cystitis, and bacterial vaginosis. They are also linked to adverse outcomes in pregnancy and the postpartum period; neonatal disease can include meningitis and sepsis. Asymptomatic colonization is common, so recovery of Ureaplasma urealyticum or Mycoplasma hominis does not invariably signify active infection. Conversely, culture may be negative even when infection is present. Coinfection with other sexually transmitted or opportunistic organisms occurs frequently.
| Unit | qualitative |
|---|---|
| Reference interval | — |
| Indications | Clinical suspicion for genital mycoplasma infection, particularly after high-risk sexual contact, Persistent inflammatory urogenital symptoms with negative results for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Mycoplasma genitalium, Unexplained respiratory tract disease, Preconception evaluation of both reproductive partners, History of infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss, Test-of-cure approximately one month after antibacterial therapy, Known HIV infection |
Possible Causes of Abnormal Results
Decreased levels
- antibacterial therapy
Specimen Requirements
| Specimen | Urine |
|---|---|
| Container | Urine PCR Collection Tube |
| Storage Instructions | Refrigerated |
References
Bell TA. Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, and Ureaplasma urealyticum infections of infants. Semin Perinatol. 1985;9(1):29-37. PubMed: 3881828.
Stamm WE, Wagner KF, Amsel R, et al. Causes of the acute urethral syndrome in women. N Engl J Med. 1980;303(8):409-415. PubMed: 6993946.
Taylor-Robinson D, McCormack WM. The genital Mycoplasmas. N Engl J Med. 1980;302(18):1003-1010. PubMed: 6988709.
Kenny GE. Genital Mycoplasmas: Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, and Ureaplasma species. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone; 2005.
Non-chlamydial non-specific genital infection. In: Pattman R, et al., eds. Oxford Handbook of Genitourinary Medicine, HIV, and AIDS. 1st ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2005.
Khamitova IV, Semenov AV. Comparison of detection of mycoplasma infection by culture with semiquantitative titer assessment and by polymerase chain reaction. Terra Medica. 2008;19(3).
Kisina V, Shirshova E. The significance of genital mycoplasmas in the development of clinical syndromes in women. Vrach. 2006;2:6-10.