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Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, and Ureaplasma urealyticum infections

INTRODUCTION

The term "mycoplasma" is widely used to refer to any organism within the class Mollicutes, which is composed of eight genera (including Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, Acholeplasma, Anaeroplasma, and Asteroloplasma). Over 200 named Mycoplasma species exist, and 13 Mycoplasma species, two Acholeplasma species, and two Ureaplasma species have been isolated from humans [1]. However, only six species, five of which inhabit the genitourinary tract, are established or presumed human pathogens; Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a respiratory tract pathogen [2]:

  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae
  • Mycoplasma hominis
  • Mycoplasma genitalium
  • Mycoplasma fermentans (incognitus strain)
  • Ureaplasma

  •     Ureaplasma urealyticum
  •     Ureaplasma parvum

The clinical features and treatment of human infections with M. hominis and Ureaplasma will be reviewed here. M. pneumoniae and M. genitalium infections are discussed separately. (See "Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in adults" and "Mycoplasma genitalium infection in men and women".)

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Although M. hominis and, to a lesser extent, Ureaplasma have been implicated in a number of conditions related to parturient women and their fetuses and newborns, the precise roles of Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma spp remain unproven, or even speculative, in many diseases for the following reasons [3]:

                                    

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Literature review current through: Apr 2013. | This topic last updated: Sep 6, 2012.
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