Ureaplasma, U.urealyticum/U.parvum DNA, typing, real-time quantitative PCR - a method for the quantitative determination of ureaplasma DNA (Ureaplasma urealyticum / Ureaplasma parvum) in the studied biomaterial using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method with real-time detection. Using this analysis, it is possible to determine the degree of contamination of the urogenital tract with ureaplasma. The purpose of the analysis is to identify and typify two clinically significant types of ureaplasma: U.urealyticum and U.parvum.
Ureaplasmas are tiny bacteria that reproduce by simple division, bacteria belonging to the genus Ureaplasma of the Mycoplasmataceae (Mycoplasma) family. They live on the mucous membranes of the human genital organs and urinary tract. The main nutrient substrate for them is urea, so they tend to colonize the genitourinary system. Ureaplasma cause inflammatory diseases of the urogenital tract and respiratory tract.
Source of infection- a patient with ureaplasma infection or an asymptomatic carrier.
Ureaplasma is transmitted sexually, and intrauterine infection from a sick mother during childbirth is also possible. The incubation period lasts from 3 to 5 weeks, the decisive point here is the state of the infected person’s immunity. It should be noted that ureaplasmosis manifests itself with minor symptoms that bother patients little, and often does not manifest itself at all (especially in women). Sick women complain of occasional clear vaginal discharge that differs little from normal. Some may experience a burning sensation when urinating. If the patient’s immunity is very weak, then ureaplasma can move higher along the genital tract, causing inflammation of the uterus (endometritis) or appendages (adnexitis). Characteristic signs of endometritis are menstrual irregularities, bleeding, heavy and prolonged menstruation, nagging pain in the lower abdomen. With adnexitis, the fallopian tubes are affected, an adhesive process develops, which can lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Repeated exacerbations can be associated with alcohol consumption, colds, and emotional overload. Ureaplasmosis in men is manifested by the appearance in the morning of a small amount of discharge from the urethra or nagging pain in the groin area when the infection spreads to the epididymis. At the same time, the quality of sperm deteriorates, which contributes to male infertility.
PCR method is now the fastest and most reliable method for diagnosing infectious diseases.
Using PCR analysis, it is possible to diagnose infection in the acute period and identify cases of carriage.
Preparation
- It is unacceptable to take material from women during menstruation and within 3 days after their end.
- 1-2 days before seeing a doctor, refrain from sexual intercourse;
- 1-2 days before seeing a doctor, do not douche and refuse to use any special means for genital hygiene;
- As soon as possible, stop using any medications in the form of vaginal suppositories, tablets or sprays, unless their use has been previously agreed with your doctor before the examination;
- In the evening, on the eve of visiting a doctor, you should toilet the external genitalia with warm water and soap. Women should never douche or introduce any medications or hygiene products into the vagina;
- There is no need to wash in the morning before going to the doctor;
- It is advisable not to urinate 2-3 hours before visiting a doctor.
It is advisable to conduct examinations of women in the first half of the menstrual cycle, not earlier than the 5th day. Examination in the second half of the cycle is acceptable, no later than 5 days before the expected start of menstruation. If there are severe symptoms of inflammation, the material is taken on the day of treatment. The day before and on the day of the examination, the patient is not recommended to douche the vagina. It is not recommended to take biomaterial during antibacterial therapy (general / local) and during menses, earlier than 24-48 hours after sexual intercourse, intravaginal ultrasound and colposcopy. If a scraping is taken from the urethra for research, the material is collected before or no earlier than 2 to 3 hours after urination.
Indications
- Examination in the presence of clinical and laboratory signs of an inflammatory process in the urogenital tract in the absence of other pathogenic pathogens
- Sperm donor screening
- Examination of patients with miscarriage, diagnosed with infertility
Interpretation of results
The result is given in terms"detected" or "not detected".
"discovered" in the analyzed sample of biological material, a DNA fragment specific for Ureaplasma parvum and/or Ureaplasma urealyticum was found, infection with Ureaplasma parvum and/or Ureaplasma urealyticum.
- DETECTION Specific DNA fragments were detected in a concentration of more than 10 4 copies in the sample;
- DETECTION Specific DNA fragments were detected in a concentration of less than 10 4 copies in the sample;
"not detected": no DNA fragments specific for Ureaplasma parvum and/or Ureaplasma urealyticum were found in the analyzed sample of biological material or the concentration of the pathogen in the sample is below the sensitivity limit of the test.
To the result "detected" a comment is added indicating the level of detected bacterial DNA in the urogenital scraping of epithelial cells relative to the threshold value (10^4 copies in the sample).
Detection of U.urealyticum / U. parvum DNA indicates the presence of pathogens. When assessing the results, it is necessary to take into account that ureaplasma U.urealyticum / U. parvum are opportunistic microorganisms and may be present in small concentrations in healthy individuals.
Having visited any doctor, you will leave the office with a whole bunch of prescriptions - for medications, for tests, for research. It is not always possible to understand what they are talking about, even if the doctor’s handwriting is legible. The same applies to the results of research and analysis.
What is ureaplasma parvum DNA?
To make it completely clear, we are talking about the presence of “ureaplasma parvum” in your body, since its DNA has already been found.
Is it deadly? No, Many doctors consider the presence of this microorganism to be normal, it is found in every fourth woman. But there is little pleasant in such a carriage, because ureaplasma can cause chronic inflammatory processes, and it can cause a lot of trouble in the male body. A few words about transmission routes:
- During sexual intercourse. The microorganism feels great on the surface of sperm and vaginal epithelium;
- During. The baby receives everything from the mother, including undesirable factors;
- At , due to passage through the birth canal. This is a purely mechanical infection.
I don’t really want to reward my own child with such an interesting disease from the first days of life, so it’s better to get treatment.
When are they even checked for this?
Usually sent for analysis:
- At family and child planning centers. Both parents to detect and prevent the spread of the disease;
- Already during pregnancy, in order to know what problems you have to deal with;
- In the presence of chronic inflammatory diseases of the internal or external genital organs, to determine the cause of the patient’s pathological condition;
- If you suspect sexually transmitted diseases. To determine what exactly the patient is infected with.
You should not refuse to undergo testing, especially when it comes to family planning. The test results will not be sent anywhere; only the attending physician will know them.
This is not AIDS or syphilis, there is no epidemiological threat. And no one will force you to undergo treatment. But if we are talking not just about carriage, but about a chronic inflammatory process, you will insist on treatment yourself in order to get rid of unpleasant sensations.
Don’t forget about the possibility of infecting your sexual partner; no one will thank you for that. First unpleasant symptoms can cause rupture and accusations of treason.
Pathogenic effects of ureaplasma parvum on the body
Carriage has already been mentioned here, when can we talk about it? In the absence of symptoms of the inflammatory process and if there is a positive test for ureaplasma .
These two points must be combined, most often this happens in women. The patient is already infected with a microorganism, but does not feel any consequences of its impact on the body. At the same time, she can lead an active sex life, without protection, and plan to have a child.
A partner, and even more so a baby, cannot hope for simple carrier status. But at the beginning of the material it was said that every fourth woman has the bacterium in her body, it must be opportunistic.
It has not yet been proven by research, but in scientific and medical circles there is an opinion that ureaplasma can enhance the effect of pathogenic bacteria on the body:
- Prolongs the course of the disease;
- Promotes the manifestation of more pronounced clinical symptoms;
- Complicates treatment. Standard medications sometimes become ineffective;
- Creates an atypical picture of the disorder, thereby complicating the diagnosis.
Gender Differences
Differences in the course of the disease depending on gender have been repeatedly mentioned.
As you can see, the same sad consequences are possible for women, but the likelihood of their occurrence is much lower. And in general, the body of the fairer sex copes with such proximity more easily and is more accustomed. Men can develop urolithiasis and even arthritis. It would seem that these two states are not at all related to each other. Chronic inflammation, by the way, not only causes discomfort, it also leads to sexual dysfunction.
To treat or not to treat?
With the help of PCR, doctors will be able to establish the specific type of ureaplasma and even choose a treatment. But the choice remains with the patient to accept therapy or refuse it; no one can force it.
Is it worth treating the disease?
- Most patients believe that since there are no unpleasant sensations or visible disorders, then there is no need for treatment;
- Doctors sometimes fuel this desire in patients by stating the prevalence of the bacterium and the difficulty of selecting adequate treatment;
- It is worth remembering that we will not be young and healthy forever. Sooner or later the immune system will begin to show its first failures;
- Background immunity disorders can also be associated with severe infectious diseases, and no one is immune from them either;
- And in such a “favorable” environment, the opportunistic microorganism will lose half of its name and become simply pathogenic;
- But then you will have to fight not just one disease, but several at once;
- In addition, by affecting the body for a long time, the bacteria will cause its damage. Over the course of many years, it will multiply on the mucous membrane, do you think, without damaging the latter?
However, excessive zeal will also not lead to anything good. Complete destruction of the natural microflora of the vagina will not have a positive effect on health.
When the test sheet says “ureaplasma parvum DNA - detected” in a separate line, what does this mean, it is better to immediately ask your doctor. He will refer you for additional examinations, if necessary, and prescribe medication.
Video about ureaplasma
To date, scientists have identified 14 types of ureaplasma, but only 2 of them are considered causative agents of ureaplasmosis. They make up a group called by doctors ureaplasma ssp. These are the following types of ureaplasma: ureaplasma urealyticum and parvum.
The second is more pathogenic, and the disease caused by it occurs in a more acute form. It is diagnosed less often in men than in women. The pathogenic activity of the bacterium leads to various disorders of the genitourinary system, including infertility, urolithiasis and others.
What is ureaplasma parvum, what are the symptoms of its spread and how to treat it?
Features of the bacterium
Ureaplasma parvum is part of the opportunistic flora of the genital mucosa of women and men; the bacterium can be freely present in the body of a healthy person without causing harm to him in a normal state of immunity.
With a decrease in the immune response, general or local, the number of the pathogen begins to grow exponentially, which naturally leads to the manifestation of its pathogenic nature.
Bacteria of the genus Ureaplasma are capable of breaking down urea, and one of the products of this process is ammonia. Its excess leads to damage to the cells of the mucous membrane and the formation of areas of erosion or ulcers on its surface.
Inflammatory processes resulting from this most often affect the vagina, fallopian tubes, cervix in women, seminal ducts, and epididymis in men. The urethra is affected in both sexes.
One of the dangers of infection with Ureaplasma parvum bacteria is the vagueness of the symptoms and its similarity with the manifestations of other infectious diseases of the genitourinary system.
If representatives of other STIs were present in the microflora of the genital organs, a decrease in local immunity, pushed by chlamydia, can provoke an activation of their pathogenic properties.
Routes of infection
The pathogen spreads in the following ways:
- Sexual path. In this case, ureaplasma parvum enters a healthy body during unprotected sexual intercourse from an infected partner. Infection occurs even if the latter is exclusively a carrier, that is, his immunity successfully suppresses the pathogenic activity of the bacterium. This is especially common among people who are promiscuous. Infection can occur during any type of sex: traditional, oral or anal.
- Vertical path. In this way, opportunistic flora is transmitted from mother to child during the prenatal period or directly during childbirth, when the newborn passes through the birth canal.
- Contact and household. Such cases are possible when visiting public institutions such as baths, saunas, swimming pools, public toilets. The likelihood of infection directly depends on the degree of compliance with personal hygiene rules.
- Organ transplantation. This is the least common method of transmission, but it does occur. Such cases are possible when untested biological material is used for transplantation.
Infectious disease specialists have a term “contagiousness”. It means the ability of an infection to be transmitted from an infected organism to a healthy one. Ureaplasmosis and ureaplasma parvum, in particular, are very highly contagious.
The probability of transmission of infection by one of these methods is almost 100%. Men are most often carriers, since the bacteria in their bodies does not lead to active inflammation, the disease is asymptomatic.
According to statistics, the detection of ureaplasmosis in men occurs in most cases by chance, during regular examination or suspicion of another infection.
Symptoms and consequences
The pathogenic activity of Ureaplasma parvum is characterized by the development of inflammation in the area where the bacterium is localized. It can be acute or chronic, which most often occurs with a long course of the disease.
Depending on the location of the source of inflammation, signs of ureaplasmosis in women may include the following conditions:
- multiple vaginal discharge with a mucous structure, mixed with pus and sometimes blood;
- uterine bleeding not associated with the menstrual cycle;
- burning and itching sensation in the perineal area;
- difficulty urinating (dysuria);
- increased urine production (polyuria);
- pain and other manifestations of discomfort in the lower abdomen;
- discomfort, sometimes pain, during sex;
- fever, excessive sweating and signs of intoxication of the body (nausea, allergic skin reactions, etc.);
- redness and swelling of the tissues of the vagina and urethra.
In men, symptoms of infection are less pronounced and include:
- scanty discharge from the urethra, having a transparent structure;
- itching and burning sensation, sometimes during sex;
- pain of varying severity when emptying the bladder (depending on the extent of the pathogen).
One of the main dangers of ureaplasmosis is its asymptomatic course in the initial stages of development of the pathology. This incubation period for ureaplasma can range from 2 weeks to several months, and in some cases years.
In the absence of adequate treatment, the activity of the infectious agent can lead to serious consequences, in some cases irreversible. This is especially true for women who are pregnant or preparing to conceive.
When carrying a child, the body's immune response naturally decreases. This is a necessary measure for the normal development of the fetus. Such conditions are ideal for Ureaplasma parvum.
The activity of pathogenic microorganisms can lead to malformations in the fetus. The likelihood of miscarriage in the early stages and premature birth in the later stages increases sharply.
Tests for the presence of ureaplasmosis are a mandatory procedure for every pregnant woman.
And outside of pregnancy, the danger of infection with Ureaplasma parvum is difficult to overestimate, especially without adequate treatment. Inflammatory processes in the uterus or ovaries can lead to the inability to conceive in the future.
The effect of ureaplasmosis on the male body is no less destructive. The main target of ureaplasma is the sperm production organs and seminal ducts. The consequence is a decrease in sperm production and an increase in its viscosity.
This can cause infertility, as well as the fact that sperm under the influence of pathological influences become less mobile.
The consequence of the development of inflammatory processes in the prostate area is prostatitis and its characteristic symptoms.
Diagnostics
The most informative and reliable diagnostic methods for detecting Ureaplasma are:
- ELISA. During a blood test, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) looks for specific antibodies that appear during infection with ureaplasma in the sample. If they are detected, we can talk about the presence of a pathogenic bacterium in the body. The disadvantages of the method are the impossibility of accurately determining the time of infection. Some antibodies can persist for a long time, therefore, the analysis is not always informative.
- PCR. Using a polymerase chain reaction test, it is possible to determine with a high degree of probability whether infectious agents are present in the body. The accuracy of the technique is indicated by the fact that the result can be obtained even if there is only one pathogenic bacterium in the sample. False-positive or false-negative results are possible only if the rules for preparing for the sample collection procedure are not followed.
- Cultural sowing or bacterial sowing. As a result of this study, it is possible to determine not only the presence of a representative of the pathogenic flora in the sample, but also the degree of its resistance to a particular type of antibiotic. Samples of secretions and mucous membranes from the vagina, urethra, seminal fluid, urine and blood are used as test material. The only disadvantage of this diagnostic method is the duration of the procedures - the result can only be obtained after a few days.
Being a representative of opportunistic flora, the presence of Ureaplasma in the body does not always mean the presence of pathogenic changes. To clarify this nuance, the analyzes indicate a quantitative characteristic of the bacterial content in the sample.
If their number exceeds 104 per 1 g of material, we can speak with complete confidence about ureaplasmosis in the active phase. This becomes a reason to prescribe treatment.
Is it necessary to treat ureaplasma parvum if the test results are below this limit?
If the number of pathogens is close to this mark, and there are no clinical manifestations of the disease, the use of antibiotics is not recommended. In such cases, immunostimulating therapy is prescribed.
Treatment
Within its framework, antibacterial drugs (antibiotics), vitamin complexes, anti-inflammatory drugs (preference is given to non-steroidal drugs), adaptogens and immunostimulants are prescribed.
The most commonly prescribed medications include:
Ureaplasma can also be treated with physiotherapeutic procedures, but they act as auxiliary methods of treatment.
A speedy recovery and the absence of relapses in the future can be achieved only by following all the doctor’s recommendations and instructions regarding the treatment regimen.
Otherwise, recurrence of the pathology cannot be avoided. In such situations, it is necessary to reconsider the course of treatment, replacing the antibiotic with a more powerful one. Since the probability of Ureaplasma parvum bacteria developing resistance to the previous one is almost absolute.
Prevention
Preventive rules to help avoid infection with ureaplasmosis include:
- strict adherence to the principles of hygiene;
- use of barrier protection, especially during sexual contact with an unfamiliar partner;
- orderly sex life;
- use of antiseptics after unprotected sexual intercourse.
It is always easier to prevent a disease than to treat it later. This is why prevention is so important.
Bottom line
Ureaplasma parvum is a dangerous and insidious bacterium. Being part of the opportunistic flora, it may not manifest itself for a long time after infection. But with changes in the immune picture, its pathogenic component is sharply activated.
Considering the consequences that a prolonged course of the disease can lead to, you need to contact a specialized specialist at the first symptoms.
Only timely diagnosis and adequate treatment can save the patient from the disease and possible problems in the future.
"Ureaplasma parvum DNA detected." Such a record is far from uncommon among the results of clinical studies.
Yes, most often this diagnosis is voiced to women of reproductive age. But this does not mean that men and even small children cannot suffer from the mentioned ailment.
Is it as scary as it seems at first glance? And what does this even mean? How did ureaplasma parvum enter the body, what does it “feed on” and what does it threaten? Can it be cured at all?
The patient's panic is understandable. A concept unfamiliar to them suddenly turned out to be voiced where banal cystitis was supposed, a minor disturbance of the microflora or hormonal change was obvious. Surely, the expectant mother, who could not get pregnant for a long time, and her medical history mentions miscarriages and missed pregnancies, did not expect such a “guest.” Her husband, who was only concerned about discomfort during urination, did not expect it either. And most importantly: what does such a record in the test results mean for their unborn baby?
First, let’s remember what “ureaplasma parvum” is.
It should also be taken into account that during evolution, ureaplasma has lost its own membrane and, due to its small size, can penetrate any organs and tissues, destroying everything in its path.
For approximately the same reason, it is not so easy to detect, since conventional tests (urine and blood) are often unable to do this. Especially when we are talking about the period of the so-called “calm”, that is, the asymptomatic presence of ureaplasma in the body. After all, it is also called a conditionally pathogenic element, which, according to some versions, is at the stage of development between a bacterium and a virus. And it can only become active when there is a need for it “ favorable conditions»:
- Decreased immunity;
- Chronic course of gynecological diseases;
- Sexually transmitted infection;
- A sharp increase in stress on the body (for example, pregnancy).
In such cases, a woman begins to notice a clear deterioration in her health, which often begins with harmless, at first glance, discharge. They are often slimy, transparent or white, with an unpleasant putrid odor. Following them, abdominal pain, bloody spotting, and disruption of the menstrual cycle may appear. Cystitis, vaginitis, and cervicitis often develop in tandem with ureaplasma.
In men the range of symptoms is somewhat narrower, being limited to burning/pain/discomfort during urination or sexual intercourse. In the absence of adequate treatment, complications such as urethritis and inflammation of the prostate gland/testicles are possible.
But no matter how different the severity of the symptoms between partners, they both require a thorough examination. And, first of all, it will begin with general tests, smears, examination of the genital organs by specialists and, most importantly, diagnosis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
It is the last point that relates to molecular diagnostic methods, which makes it possible to detect ureaplasmosis even in the passive phase, during the incubation period. That is, there are no symptoms yet (including other “concomitant” diseases), but the pathological molecule has already been identified. In such cases, the analysis results read “Ureaplasma parvum DNA detected.” There is no need to doubt the reliability of the study, since, if all the rules of the procedure are followed, it reaches 100%.
Ureaplasmosis in men
Few women know what “ureaplasma parvum” is and how such a diagnosis threatens their health. What can we say then about men who, according to statistics, are much less likely to be carriers of the mentioned bacteria and do not even realize how dangerous it is.
The situation will be further complicated by the fact that first symptoms rather vague and, to some extent, relate to several diseases of the genitourinary system:
- White or clear discharge from the urethra.
- Discomfort during urination.
- Pain/burning/itching.
You can also mention unpleasant sensations during intimate relationships. By the way, it is the latter, if they were unprotected, that are considered the main reason for the entry of ureaplasma parvum into the body.
It is possible that representatives of the stronger sex may not rush to see a specialist, believing that everything will “go away on its own.” In principle, this option is possible. But what if not? Let's get acquainted with the possible consequences of "inaction":
- Urethritis.
- Inflammatory processes of the prostate gland and appendages.
- Emotional instability.
- Deterioration of erection, as well as the composition of sperm.
- Problems conceiving a child, which can develop into infertility.
To all this it is worth adding possible cutting pains, swelling of the appendages, and the transition of the mentioned ailments to a chronic form.
Bacteria during pregnancy
Expectant mothers undoubtedly fall into the highest risk category. And it’s not even about the “double” load on the body, but about its vulnerability. After all, the immune system has not yet gotten used to the presence of an embryo and may temporarily weaken its defense.
This mainly applies to women who, even before conceiving a baby, were carriers of ureaplasma. To some extent, they were lucky, since one of the symptoms of this disease is hormonal imbalance and unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant. And if fertilization does occur, you will have to be very attentive to your well-being and regularly undergo all the necessary tests.
It is possible that ureaplasma parvum will manifest itself again in the first trimester. In this case, immediate antibiotic therapy will be required to prevent miscarriage.
Perhaps vaginal suppositories/other medications will be sufficient, since antibiotics in the first trimester are extremely undesirable, although doctors convince patients of the gentle properties of those they have selected.
Treatment of the disease
What for men, what for women, treatment algorithms consist of several points:
- Examination by a specialist, passing the necessary tests. You may also need an ultrasound of the genitourinary system.
- Antibacterial therapy.
- Antifungal drugs, as well as an individual treatment regimen for each of the concomitant diseases.
- Physiotherapeutic procedures.
- Vitamin complexes to boost immunity.
It is very important to do before starting treatment culture for bacteria to select the most effective dosage forms. Thus, the issue of individual tolerance and the potential for allergic reactions will also be resolved.
note! A prerequisite for a quick recovery is temporary abstinence from sexual intercourse, lack of stress, psycho-emotional stability, quality nutrition and healthy sleep. By fulfilling all these conditions, ureaplasmosis will recede and will not bother you anymore. But, since the bacteria will most likely remain in the body, you should be more attentive to your health in the future.
[09-175 ] Ureaplasma parvum, DNA quantitative [real-time PCR]
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The study allows us to determine the concentration of Ureaplasma parvum DNA in biological material. This type of microorganism belongs to the group of opportunistic pathogens (OPM), is present in the microflora of 50-75% of the adult population, but when immunity decreases or other infections occur, it actively multiplies, leading to the development of dysbiosis, and then the inflammatory process. Ureaplasmas have low immunogenicity, which makes it difficult to detect specific antibodies to them in blood serum, so detection of genetic material (DNA) is the most sensitive diagnostic method. Determining the type of ureaplasma is important when choosing the optimal treatment tactics.
Synonyms Russian
The causative agent of ureaplasmosis, ureaplasma.
English synonyms
Ureaplasma parvum, DNA.
Research method
Real-time polymerase chain reaction.
Units
GE/ml (genomic equivalent per milliliter of biomaterial).
What biomaterial can be used for research?
The first portion of morning urine, rectal scraping, urogenital scraping.
How to properly prepare for research?
- For women, a test (the procedure for taking a urogenital smear or collecting urine) is recommended to be carried out before menstruation or 2-3 days after its end.
- Men - do not urinate for 3 hours before taking a urogenital smear or collecting urine.
General information about the study
The incubation period is 2-5 weeks. Symptoms of ureaplasma infection may be mild or absent altogether (typical for women). In men, ureaplasma parvum can cause inflammation of the urethra (non-gonococcal urethritis), bladder (cystitis), prostate (prostatitis), damage to the testicles (orchitis) and their appendages (epididymitis), disturbances in the composition of sperm (decreased motility and sperm count - which threatens infertility ), as well as reactive arthritis and urolithiasis. In women, ureaplasma parvum can cause inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis), cervix (cervicitis), and if the immune system is weakened, inflammation of the uterus (endometritis) and its appendages (adnexitis), which can lead to ectopic pregnancy or infertility. In addition, ureaplasma parvum in pregnant women can cause miscarriages, inflammation of the membranes, the birth of children with low body weight, as well as the development of bronchopulmonary diseases (pneumonia, dysplasia), bacteremia and meningitis in newborns.
Ureaplasma parvum is considered as the cause of inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system if laboratory testing does not reveal other pathogenic microorganisms that can cause these diseases. It is possible to differentiate Ureaplasma parvum from another type of ureaplasma - U. urealyticum - only using molecular genetic methods, including polymerase chain reaction. Determining the type of ureaplasma is important when choosing the optimal treatment strategy for a patient.
What is the research used for?
- Differentiation of U. parvum from another type of ureaplasma - U. urealyticum.
- Quantitative analysis of microorganisms of this species.
- To establish the cause of chronic inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system.
- For differential diagnosis of diseases caused by sexually transmitted infections and occurring with similar symptoms: chlamydia, gonorrhea, mycoplasma infection (along with other studies).
- To evaluate the effectiveness of antibacterial therapy.
- For preventive examination.
When is the study scheduled?
- If you suspect a ureaplasma infection and ureaplasmosis, including after casual sexual intercourse and with symptoms of inflammation of the genitourinary system.
- When planning a pregnancy (for both spouses).
- For infertility or miscarriage.
- With an ectopic pregnancy.
- If necessary, evaluate the effectiveness of antibacterial therapy (1 month after treatment).
What do the results mean?
Reference values:
no more than 1*10^5 GE/ml.The number of conditionally pathogenic microorganisms on the result form is indicated in genomic equivalents per milliliter of biomaterial (GE/ml).
A genomic equivalent is the “volume” of genetic material corresponding to one genome of a bacterium, fungus or protozoan. If in bacteriological studies it is generally accepted that one cell of a pathogen corresponds to a CFU (colony-forming unit), then in molecular biological studies a similar unit is the GE.
The amount of HE detected by PCR directly reflects the number of pathogen cells, while CFU indirectly reflects the amount of pathogen in the sample and largely depends on the characteristics of the bacteriological study.
Improved results
- The detection of Ureaplasma parvum DNA in biomaterial may indicate that this microorganism has caused inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system, only in the presence of symptoms of inflammation and in the absence of other pathogenic microorganisms (chlamydia, mycoplasmas, gonococci).
- Detection of Ureaplasma parvum DNA in the absence of symptoms of inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system is regarded as carriage.
Negative result
- The absence of Ureaplasma parvum DNA in the studied biomaterial in the presence of symptoms of inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system indicates that this pathogen is not the cause of these diseases.
Diagnosis criteria:
- detection of DNA of opportunistic microorganisms (OPM) in concentrations higher 10 5 GE/ml(threshold of clinical significance, which corresponds to 10 4 CFU/ml);
- clinical and laboratory signs of the inflammatory process;
- complicated medical history (miscarriage, premature birth, etc.).
In the presence of specific clinical manifestations, the analysis can be supplemented with studies
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