Abstract

The exact role of Mycoplasma hominis (and to a lesser extent Ureaplasma) in regards to a number of conditions related to pregnant women and their (unborn) offspring is controversial. This is mainly because many healthy adults have genitourinary colonization with Mycoplasma, published studies on pathogenicity have important design limitations and the organisms are very difficult to detect. The likelihood of colonization with "M. hominis" appears directly linked to the number of lifetime sexual partners

Neonatal colonization does occur, but only through normal vaginal delivery. Caesarean section appears protective against colonization and is much less common. Neonatal colonization is transient.

Signs and symptoms

Those with urogenital or extragenital infections caused by "M. hominis" have symptoms similar to other sexually transmitted infections and its presence cannot be determined by its symptoms. The precise role this organism plays in causing disease remains speculative. Diagnosis remains a challenge because the organism is difficult to culture in vitro. PCR-based techniques are still rare outside research scenarios.

The following conditions have been linked to Mycoplasma hominis:

- pyelonephritis

- cystitis

- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

- endometritis

- chorioamnionitis

- surgical and nonsurgical wound infections

- bacteremia

- pneumonia

- meningitis

- salpingitis

- urethritis

- septic arthritis

- cervicitis

"Mycoplasma hominis" is often present in polymicrobial infections.

Neonatal infection

Neonates, especially if preterm, are susceptible to "M. hominis" infection.

Meningoencephalitis in neonates has been described and M. hominis may be a significant causative agent of neonatal sepsis or meningitis.

"M. hominis" has been associated with chorioamnionits. "M. hominis" is associated with miscarriage.

Prevention

If symptomatic, testing is recommended. The risk of contracting Micoplasma infection can be reduced by the following:

- Using barrier methods such as condoms

- Seeking medical attention if you are experiencing symptoms suggesting a sexually transmitted infection.

- Seeking medical attention after learning that a current or former sex partner has, or might have had a sexually transmitted infection.

- Getting a STI history from your current partner and insisting they be tested and treated before intercourse.

- Avoiding vaginal activity, particularly intercourse, after the end of a pregnancy (delivery, miscarriage, or abortion) or certain gynecological procedures, to ensure that the cervix closes.

- Abstinence

Treatment

Mycoplasmas have a triple-layered membrane and lack a cell wall. Commonly used antibiotics are generally ineffective because their efficacy is due to their ability to inhibit cell wall synthesis. Micoplasmas are not affected by penicillins and other antibiotics that act on the cell wall. The growth of micoplasmas in their host is inhibited by other broad-spectrum antibiotics. These broad-spectrum antibiotics inhibit the multiplication of the mycoplasma but does not kill them. Tetracyclines, macrolides, erythromycin, macrolides, ketolides, quinolones are used to treat mycoplasma infections. In addition to the penicillins, mycoplasmas are resistant to rifampicin. Mycoplasmas may be difficult to eradicate from human or animal hosts or from cell cultures by antibiotic treatment because of resistance to the antibiotic, or because it does not kill the mycoplasma cell. Mycoplasma cells are able to invade the cells of their hosts.