Skip to main content
Log in

Ureaplasma urealyticum–harmless commensal or underestimated enemy of human reproduction? A review

  • Review
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article reviews the role, diagnosis and treatment of Ureaplasma infections in human reproduction.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Abele-Horn M, Wolff C, Dressel P, Zimmermann A, Vahlensieck W, Pfaff F, Ruckdeschel G (1996) Polymerase chain reaction versus culture for detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis in the urogenitaltract of adults and the respiratory tract of newborns. Eur J Clin Infect Dis 15:595–598

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Abele-Horn M, Peters J, Genzel-Boroviczeny O, Wolff C, Zimmermann A, Gottschling W (1997) Vaginal Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization: Influence on pregnancy outcome and neonatal morbidity. Infection 25:286–291

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Abele-Horn M, Wolff C, Dressel P, Pfaff P, Zimmermann A (1997) Association of Ureaplasma urealyticum biovars with clinical outcome for neonates, Obstetric patients, and gynaecological patients with pelvic inflammatory disease. J Clin Microbiol 35:1199–1202

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Abele-Horn M, Scholz M, Wolff C, Kolben M (2000) High density vaginal Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization as a risk factor for chorioamnionitis and preterm delivery. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 79:973–978

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Abitzsch S, Stephan H, Sack U, Faber R (2001) Detection of cervical immunoglobulin A in a normal pregnancy. J Perinat Med 29:36–41

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Alfa MJ, Embree JE, Degagne P, Olson N, Lerzman J, Macdonald NT, Hall PF (1995) Transmission of Ureaplasma urealyticum from mothers to full and preterm infants. Pediatr Infect Dis J 14:341–345

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Andrews WW, Shah SR, Goldenberg RL, Cliver SP, Hauth JC, Cassell GH (1995) Association of post-cesarian section delivery endometritis with colonization of the chorioamnion by Ureaplasma urealyticum. Obstet Gynecol 85:509–514

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Audring H, Klug H, Bollmann R, Sokolowska-Kohler W, Engel S (1998) Ureaplasma urealyticum and male infertility: an animal model: II. Morphologic changes of testicular tissue at light microscopic level and electron microscopic findings. Andrologia 21:66–75

    Google Scholar 

  9. Bashiri A, Horowitz S, Huleihel M, Hackmon R, Dukler D, Mazor M (1999) Elevated concentrations of interleukin-6 in intraamniotic infection with Ureaplasma uralyticum in asymptomatic women during genetic amniocentesis. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 78:379–382

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Berg TG, Philpot KL, Welsh MS, Sanger WG, Smith CV (1999) Ureaplasma/Mycoplasma infected amniotic fluid: pregnancy outcome in treated and nontreated patiens. J Perinatol 19:275–277

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Brihmer C, Kallings I, Nord, CE, Brundin J (1987) Salpingitis; aspects of diagnosis and etiology: a 4-year study from a Swedish capital hospital. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 24:211–220

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Busolo F, Zanchetta R (1984) Do Mycoplasmas inhibit the human sperm fertilizing ability in vitro?. Isr J Med Sci 20:902–904

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Busolo F, Zanchetta R (1985) The effect of Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum on hamster egg in vitro penetration by human spermatozoa. Fertil Steril 43:110–114

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Cakan H, Polat E, Kocazeybek B, Ocal P, Cepni I, Aslan M, Salihoglu F, Atlas K (2003) Assesment of antibiotic susceptibility of Ureaplasma urealyticum from prostitutes and outpatient clinic. Chemotherapy 49:39–42

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Carey JC, Blackwelder WC, Nugent RP, Matteson MA, Rao AV, Eschenbach DA, Lee ML, Rettig PJ, Regan JA, Geromanos KL (1991) Antepartum cultures for Ureaplasma urealyticum are not useful in predicting pregnancy outcome. The Vaginal Infections and Prematurity Study Group. Am J Obstet Gynecol 164:728–733

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Choudhury MR, Mathai M, Mathei E, Sridharan G, Jasper MP, Mathew GA, John TJ (1994) Prevalence of genital Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma infections in pregnancy outcome. Indian J Med Res 100:15–18

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Clegg A, Passey M, Yoannes M, Michael A (1997) High rates of genital mycoplasma infection in the highlands of Papua New Guinea determined both by culture and by a commercial detection cit. J Clin Microbiol 35:197–200

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Cracea E, Constantinescu S, Lazar M (1985) Serotypes of Ureaplasma urealyticum isolated from patients with nongonococcal urethritis amd gonorrhea and from asymptomatic urethral carriers. Sex Transmitt Dis 12:219–223

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Cunha RA, Koiffmann CP, Souza DH, Takei K (1997) Clastogenic effects of different Ureaplasma urealyticum serovars on human chromosomes. Braz J Med Biol Res 30:749–757

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Dammann O, Allred EN, Genest DR, Kundsin RB, Leviton A (2003) Antenatal Mycoplasma infection, the fetal inflammatory response and cerebral white matter damage in very-low-birthweight infants. Pediatr Perinat Epidemiol 17:49–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. De Jong Z, Pontonnier F, Plante P, Perie N, Talazac N, Mansat A (1990) Comparison of the incidence of Ureaplasma urealyticum in infertile men and in donors of semen. Eur Urol 18:127–133

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. De Silva NS, Quinn PA (1986) Endogenous activity of phospholipases A and C in Ureaplasma urealyticum. J Clin Microbiol 23:354–359

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Domingues D, Tavora-Tavira L, Duarte A, Sanca A, Prieto E, Exposto F (2003) Genital mycoplasmas in women attendinga family planning clinic in Guine-Bissau and their susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. Acta Trop 86:19–24

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Donders GG, van Bulck B, Caudron J, Londers L, Vereecken A, Spitz B (2000) Relationship of bacterial vaginosis and Mycoplasmas to the risk of spontaneous abortion. Am J Obstet Gynecol 183:431–437

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Dosa E, Nagy E, Falk W, Szöke I, Ballies U (1999) Evaluation of the Etest for susceptibility testing of Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum. J Antimicrobial Chemother 43:575–578

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Echahidi F, Muyldermans G, Lauwers S, Naessens A (2000) Development of monoclonal antibodies against Ureaplasma urealyticum serotypes and their use for serotyping clinical isolates. Clin Diagn Lab Immunol 7:563–567

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Engel S, Bollmann R, Sokolowska-Kohler W, Audring H, Klug H (1988) Ureaplasma urelyticum and male infertility: An animal model. I. Artificial infection, breeding experiments and histological preparation of organs. Andrologia 20:467–471

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Espinoza J, Chaiworapongsa T, Romero R, Gomez R, Kim JC, Yoshimatsu J, Edwin S, Rathnasabapathy C, Yoon BH (2002) Evidence of participation of soluble CD14 in the host response to microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and intra-amniotic inflammation in term and preterm gestations. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 12:304–312

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Fowlkes DM, MacLeod J, O‘Leary WM (1975) T-Mycoplasmas and human infertility: correlation of infection with alterations in seminal parameters. Fertil Steril 26:1212–1218

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Furr PM, Taylor-Robinson D (1998) The establishment and persistence of Ureaplasma urealyticum in östradiol-treated femal mice. J Med Microbiol 29:111–114

    Google Scholar 

  31. Gauthier DW, Meyer WJ, Bieniarz AB (1994) Expectant management of premature rupture of membranes with amniotic fluid cultures positive for Ureaplasma urealyticum alone. Am J Obstet Gynecol 170:587–590

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Gerber S, Vial Y, Hohlfeld P, Witkin SS (2003) Detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum in second trimester amniotic fluid by polymerase chain reaction correlates with subsequent preterm labor and delivery. J Infect Dis 187:518–521

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Germain M, Krohn MA, Hillier SL, Eschenbach DA (1994) Genital flora in pregnancy and ist assoziation with intrauterine growth retardation. J Clin Microbiol 32:2162–2168

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Gil Juarez C, Calderon BA, Montero J, Yanez A, Cedillo L (1996) Detection of Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum in women sexually active or not. Rev Latinoam Microbiol 38:81–88

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Grattard F, Soleihac B, De Barbeyrac B, Bebear C, Seffert P, Pozetto B (1995) Epidemiology and molecular investigations of genital Mycoplasmas from women and neonates at delivery. Pediatr Infect Dis J 14:853–858

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Gregoreou O, Botsis D, Papadias K, Kassanos D, Liapis A, Zourlas PA (1989) Culture of seminal fluid in infertile men and relationship to semen evaluation. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 28:149–153

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Guillet-Rosso F, Fari A, Taylor S, Forman R, Belaisch-Allart J, Testart J (1987) Systematic semen culture and its influence on IVF management. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 94:543–547

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Gump DW, Gibson M, Ashikaga T (1984) Lack of association between genital Mycoplasmas and infertility. N Engl J Med 310:937–941

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Hentschel J, Abele-Horn M, Peters J (1993) Ureaplasma urealyticum in the cerebrospinal fluid of a premature infant. Acta Pediatr 82:690–693

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Horowitz S, Mazor M, Horowitz J, Porath A, Glezerman M (1995) Antibodies to Ureaplasma urealyticum in women with intraamniotic infection and adverse pregnancy outcome. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 74:132–136

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Iwasaka T, Wada T, Kidera Y, Sugimori H (1986) Hormonal status and Mycoplasma colonization in the female genital tract. Obstet Gynecol 68:263–266

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Izraeli S, Samra S, Sirota L, Merlob P, Davidson S (1991) Genital mycoplasmas in preterm infants: prevalence and clinical significance. Eur J Pediatr 150:804–807

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Kanakas N, Mantzavinos T, Boufidou F, Koumentakou I, Creatsas G (1991) Ureaplasma urealyticum in semen: Is there any effect on in vitro fertilization outcome?. Fertil Steril 71:523–527

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Kafetzis DA, Skevaki CL, Skouteri V, Gavrili S, Peppa K, Kostalos C, Petrochilou V, Michalas S (2004) Maternal genital colonization with Ureaplasma urealyticum promotes preterm delivery: association of the respiratory colonization of premature infants with chronic lung disease and increased mortality. Clin Infect Dis 39:1113–1122

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Katz-Salamon M, Gerner EM, Johnson B, Lagercrantz H (2000) Early motor and mental development in very preterm infants with chronic lung disease. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 83:F1–F6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Keck C, Gerber-Schäfer C, Glad A, Wilhelm C, Breckwoldt M (1998) Seminal tract infections: impact on male infertility and treatment options. Human Reprod Update 4:891–903

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Kim M, Kim G, Romero R, Shim SS, Yoon BH (2003) Biovar diversity of Ureaplasma urealyticum in amniotic fluid: Distribution, intrauterine inflammatory response and pregnancy outcomes. J Perinat Med 31:146–152

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Koch A, Bilina A, Teodorowicz L, Stary A (1997) Mycoplasma hominis und Ureaplasma urealyticum bei Patienten mit sexuell übertragbaren Krankheiten. Wien Klin Wochenschr 109:584–589

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Köhn FM, Erdmann I,Oeda T, el Mulla KF, Schiefer HG, Schill WB (1998) Influence of urogenital infections on sperm functions. Andrologia 30(Suppl 1):73–80

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Kong F, Ma Z, James G, Gordon S, Gilbert GL (2000) Molecular genotyping of human Ureaplasma species based on multiple-banded antigen (MBA) gene sequences. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 50 Pt 5:1921–1929

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Li YH, Chen M, Brauner A, Zheng C, Skov-Jensen J, Tullus K (2002) Ureaplasma urealyticum induces apoptosis in human lung epithelial cells and macrophages. Biol Neonate 82:166–173

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Liepmann MF, Wattre P, Dewilde A, Papierok G, Delecour M (1988) Detection of Antibodies to Ureaplasma urealyticum in pregnant women by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using membrane antigen and investigation of the significance of the antibodies. J Clin Microbiol 26:2157–2160

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Luton D, Ville Y, Luton-Sigy A, Cousin C, Narreido B, Fassasi-Jarretou A, Escarguel C (1994) Prevalence and influence of Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum in 218 african pregnant women and their infants. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 56:95–101

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Martinez E, Figueroa R, Garry D, Visintainer P, Patel K, Verma U, Sehgal PB, Tejani N (1998) Elevetad amniotic fluid interleukin-6 as a predictor of neonatal periventricular leukomalacia and intraventricular hemorrhage. J Matern Fet Invest 8:101–107

    Google Scholar 

  55. Matlow A, Th‘ng C, Kovach D, Quinn P, Dunn M, Wang E (1998) Susceptibilities of neonatal respiratory isolates of Ureaplasma urealyticum to antimicrobial agents. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 42:1290–1292

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Mitsunari M, Yoshida S, Deura I, Horie S, Tsukihara S, Harada T, Irie T, Terakawa N (2005) Cervical Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization might be associated with increased incidence of preterm delivery in pregnant women without prophlogistic microorganisms on routine examination. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 31:16–21

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Montagut JM, Lepretre S, Degoy J, Rousseau M (1991) Ureaplasma in semen and IVF. Hum Reprod 6:727–729

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Naessens A, Foulon W, Debrucker P, Devroey P, Lauwers S (1986) Recovery of microorganisms in semen and relationship to semen evaluation. Fertil Steril 45:101–105

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Naessens A, Fuolon W, Cammu H, Goossens A, Lauwers S (1987) Epidemiology and pathogenesis of Ureaplasma urealyticum in spontaneous abortion and early preterm labor. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 66:513–516

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Naessens A, Lauwers S (1987) Modified indirect immunofluorescence test for serotyping large numbers of Ureaplasma urealyticum clinicals isolates. J Clin Microbiol 25:191–192

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Nunez-Calonge R, Caballero P, Redondo C, Baquero F, Martinez Ferrer M, Meseguer M (1998) Ureaplasma urealyticum reduces motility and induces membrane alterations in human spermatozoa. Hum Reprod 13:2756–2761

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Ollikainen J, Hiekaniemi H, Korppi M, Katila ML, Heinonen K (1992) Hydrops fetalis associated with Ureaplasma urealyticum. Acta Paediatr 81:851–852

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Ollikainen J (2000) Perinatal Ureaplasma urealyticum infection increases the need for hospital treatment during the first year of life in preterm infants. Pediatr Pulmonol 30:402–405

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Pannekoek Y, Trum JW, Bleker OP, van der Veen F, Spanjaard L, Dankert J (2000) Cytokine concentrations in seminal plasma from subfertile men are not indicative of the presence of Ureaplasma urealyticum or Mycpoplasma hominis in the lower genital tract. J Med Microbiol 49:697–700

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Potasman I, Oren A, Srugo I (1999) Isolation of Ureaplasma urealyticum and mycoplasma hominis from public toilet bowls.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 20:66–68

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Potts JM, Sharma R, Pasqualotto F, Nelson D, Hall G, Agarwall A (2000) Assoziation of Ureaplasma urealyticum with abnormal reactive oxygen species levels andabsence of leucocytospermia. J Urol 163:1775–1778

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Povlsen K, Thorsen P, Lind I (2001) Relationship of Ureaplasma urealyticum biovars to the presence or absence of bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women and to the time of delivery. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 20:65–67

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Povlsen K, Bjornelius E, Lidbrink P, Lind I (2002) Relationship of Ureaplasma urealyticum biovar 2 to nongonococcal urethritis. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 21:97–101

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Quinn PA, Shewchuk AB, Shuber J (1983) Serologic evidence of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection in women with spontaneous pregnancy loss. Am J Obstet Gynecol 145:245–250

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Rao RP, Ghanayem NS, Kaufmann BA, Kehl KS, Gregg DC, Chusid MJ (2002) Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma species brain abscess in a neonate. Pediatr Infect Dis J 21:1083–1085

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Reichart M, Kahane I, Bartoov B (2000) In vivo and in vitro impairment of human and ram sperm nuclear chromatin integrity by sexually transmitted Ureaplasma urealyticum infection. Biol-Reprod 63:1041–1048

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Resch B, Vollaard E, Maurer U, Haas J, Rosegger H, Muller W (2000) Risk factors and determinants of developmental outcome in cystic periventricular leucomalacia. Eur J Pediatr 159:663–670

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Roberts S, Maccato M, Faro S, Pinell P (1993) The microbiology of post ceasarean wound morbidity. Obstet Gynecol 81:383–386

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Robertson JA, Chen MH (1984) Effects of manganese on the growth and morphology of Ureaplasma urealyticum. J Clin Microbiol 19:857–864

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Robertson JA, Stemler ME, Stemke WE (1984) Immunoglobulin A protease activity of Ureaplasma urealyticum. J Clin Microbiol 19:255–258

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Ruf B, Klauwer D, Reiss I, Schiefer HG, Gortner L (2002) Colonisation of the airways with Ureaplasma urealyticum as a risk factor for bronchopulmonary dysplasia in VLBW infants?. Z Geburtshilfe Neonatol 206:187–192

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Schramm D, Hübler A (1999) Aktuelle Aspekte der Bronchopulmonalen Dysplasie (BPD). Perinat Med 10:105–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  78. Shafer MA, Sweet RL, Ohm-Smith MJ, Shalwitz J, Beck A, Schachter J (1985) Microbiology of the lower genital tract in postmenarchal adolescent girls: differences by sexual activity, contraception, and presence of non-specific vaginitis. J Pediatr 107:974–981

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. Smith DG, Russel WC, Thirkell, D (1994) Adherence of Ureaplasma urealyticum to human epithelial cells. Microbiology 140(Pt 10):2893–2898

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Softer Y, Ron-EL R, Golan A. (1990) Male genital Mycoplasmas and Chlamydia trachomatis culture: its relationship with accessory gland function, sperm quality, and autoimmunity. Fertil Steril 53:331–336

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. Stacey CM, Munday PE, Taylor-Robinson D, Thomas BJ, Gilchrist C, Ruck F, Ison CA, Beard FA (1992) A longitudinal study of pelvic inflammatory disease. Br J Obstet Gyn 99:994–999

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Stancombe BB, Walsh WF, Derdak S, Dixon P, Hensley D (1993) Induction of human neonatal pulmonary fibroblast cytokines by hyperoxia and Ureaplasma urealyticum. Clin Infect Dis 17(1):154–157

    Google Scholar 

  83. Stovall DW, Baily LE, Talbert LM (1993) The role of aerobic and anaerobic semen cultures in asymptomatic couples undergoing in vitro fertilization: effects on fertilization and pregnancy rates. Fertil Steril 59:197–203

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Tafari N, Ross S, Naeye RL, Judge DM, Marboe C (1976) Mycoplasma T-strain and perinatal death. Lancet i:108–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  85. Teng K, Li M, Yu W, Li H, Shen D, Liu D (1994) Comparison of PCR for detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum in clinical samples from patients with urogenital infections. J Clin Microbiol 32:2232–2234

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. Toth A, Lesser ML (1982) Ureaplasma urealyticum and infertility: the effect of different antibiotic regimens on the semen quality. J Urol 128:705–707

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. Ullmann U, Schubert S, Krausse R (1999) Comparative in-vitro activity of lefofloxacin, other fluoroquinolones, doxycycline and Erythromycin against Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis. J Antimicrobial Chemother 43(Suppl C):33–36

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. Viscardi RM, Manimtim WM, Sun C-CJ, Duffy L, Cassell GH (2002) Lung pathology in premature infants with Ureaplasma urealyticum infection. Pediatr Develop Pathol 5:141–150

    Google Scholar 

  89. Waites KB, Crouse DT, Cassell GH (1993) Therapeutic considerations for Ureaplasma urealyticum infections in neonates. Clin Infect Dis 17:208–214

    Google Scholar 

  90. Walsh WF, Hensley D, Greenberg D (1994) Effect of surfactant on Ureaplasma urealyticum growth [Abstract 1817]. Pediatr Res 35:305A

    Google Scholar 

  91. Williams CM, Okada DM, Marshall JR, Chow AW (1987) Clinical and microbiologic risk evaluation for post-cesarian section endometritis by multivariate discriminant analysis: role of intraoperative Mycoplasma, Aerobes and Anaerobes. Am J Obstet Gynecol 156:967–974

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. Witkin SS, Kligman I, Grifo JA, Rosenwaks Z (1985) Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis detected by the polymerase chain reaction in the cervices of women undergoing in vitro fertilization: prevalence and consequences. J Assist Reprod Genet 12:610–614

    Article  Google Scholar 

  93. Witt A, Sommer EM, Cichna M, Postlbauer K, Widhalm A, Gregor H, Reisenberger K (2003) Placental passage of clarithromycin surpasses other macrolide antibiotics. Am J Obstet Gynecol 188:816–819

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  94. Xu C, Sun GF, Zhu YF, Wang YF (1997) The correlation of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection with infertility. Andrologia 29:219–226

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  95. Xu C, Lu M, Feng JS, Guo QS, Wang YF (2001) Germ cell apoptosis induced by Ureaplasma urealyticum infection. Asian J Androl 3:199–204

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  96. Yoon BH, Kim CJ, Romero R, Jun JK, Park KH, Choi ST, Chi JG (1997) Experimentally induced intrauterine infection causes fetal brain white matter lesion in rabbits. Am J Obstet Gyn 177:797–802

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  97. Yoon BH, Romero R, Jun JK, Park KH, Ghezzi F, Kim BI (1997) Amniotic fluid cytokines (interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-8) and the risk for the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Am J Obstet Gyn 177:825–828

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  98. Yoon BH, Chang JW, Romero R (1998) Isolation of Ureaplasma urealyticum from the amniotic cavity and adverse outcome in preterm labor. Obstet Gynecol 92:77–82

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  99. Yoon BH, Romero R, Kim M, Kim EC, Kim T, Park JS, Jun JK (2000) Clinical implications of detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum in the amniotic cavity with the polymerase chain reaction. Am J Obstet Gyn 183:1130–1137

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  100. Yoon BH, Romero R, Moon JB, Shim SS, Kim M, Kim G, Jun JK (2001) Clinical significance of intraamniotic inflammation in patients with preterm labor and intact membranes. Am J Obstet Gynecol 185:1130–1136

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  101. Yoshida K, Kobayashi N, Negishi T (1994) Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the semen of asymptomatic infertile men: detection of the antigen by in situ hybridisation. Urol Int 53:217–22

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  102. Yoshida T, Maeda S-I, Deguchi T, Miyazawa T, Ishiko H (2003) A PCR-microtiter plate hybridisation assay was effective in detecting human Mycoplasmas and Ureaplasmas in urine from patients with nongonococcal urethritis. J Clin Microbiol 41:1850

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  103. Yu P, Zhang L, Dai H, Cha G, Sun Y, Shu M (1998) [Research in the relationship between Chlamydia and Ureaplasma and infertility]. Hunan Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Dao 23:67–69

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Thorsten Volgmann.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Volgmann, T., Ohlinger, R. & Panzig, B. Ureaplasma urealyticum–harmless commensal or underestimated enemy of human reproduction? A review. Arch Gynecol Obstet 273, 133–139 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-005-0030-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-005-0030-1

Keywords

Navigation