Ureaplasma urealyticum Antibodies, IgA

The Ureaplasma urealyticum Antibodies, IgA test (Anti-Ureaplasma urealyticum IgA) is used in the assessment of suspected urethritis and cervicitis and in considering possible latent or subclinical infection. Results are interpreted in conjunction with symptoms, illness chronology, and other microbiologic studies (eg, culture or nucleic acid amplification). A reactive U. urealyticum IgA supports exposure and may align with active disease but does not, by itself, confirm it.

Ureaplasma urealyticum is a member of the Mycoplasmataceae, a group of very small bacteria that lack a cell wall. U. urealyticum and U. parvum commonly colonize the urogenital tract; asymptomatic carriage is frequent, particularly among sexually active women, and is less common in men. Transmission occurs through sexual contact and can also take place perinatally. U. urealyticum is one potential cause of nongonococcal urethritis. Urethritis overall may also be due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, or Mycoplasma genitalium; clinical features alone do not distinguish these etiologies, so laboratory testing is required. Because colonization by Ureaplasma is common, detection of the organism or U. urealyticum–specific antibodies must be interpreted cautiously, as a positive result does not always indicate disease. After exposure, serum immunoglobulins increase; organism-specific IgA typically appears at least a week after infection, may decline over months following successful treatment, and may rise more rapidly with reinfection. Proposed links between Ureaplasma infection and adverse pregnancy outcomes remain unproven.