From the Guidelines
Ureaplasma urealyticum infections should be treated with doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 7 days as the first-line treatment, according to the European Association of Urology guidelines 1. This recommendation is based on the most recent guidelines, which suggest doxycycline as the primary treatment option for Ureaplasma urealyticum infections.
- Alternative treatment options include azithromycin 1.0–1.5 g as a single dose, as outlined in the guidelines 1.
- It is essential to note that Ureaplasma urealyticum is a type of bacteria that can cause urethritis, and prompt treatment is necessary to prevent complications and improve quality of life.
- The guidelines also emphasize the importance of treating sexual partners simultaneously to prevent reinfection, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to managing Ureaplasma urealyticum infections 1.
- In terms of diagnosis, testing is typically done via PCR from a vaginal swab, and symptoms such as abnormal discharge, burning urination, and pelvic pain can indicate an overgrowth of the bacteria.
- After treatment, symptoms should improve within a week, but complete resolution may take longer, and follow-up testing may be needed to confirm clearance of the infection 1.
From the Research
Ureaplasma Vaginal Infection
- Ureaplasma vaginal infection is a significant perinatal problem contributing to perinatal morbidity and mortality 2
- Heavy vaginal ureaplasma colonization is suspected of playing a role in preterm birth and preterm rupture of the membranes 2
Treatment of Ureaplasma Vaginal Infection
- Antibiotics are used to treat infections and have been used to treat pregnant women with preterm prelabour rupture of the membranes, resulting in some short-term improvements 2
- The benefit of using antibiotics in early pregnancy to treat heavy vaginal colonization is unclear 2
- Azithromycin is ineffective in reducing lower genital colonization with U. urealyticum in women at risk for preterm delivery 3
- A single 1 g dose of azithromycin is ineffective in reducing lower genital colonization with U. urealyticum 3
- Azithromycin at a dose of 1 x 500 mg/6 days is more effective than a single dose of 1 g in eradicating U. urealyticum in patients with disease symptoms lasting for 3 weeks or longer 4
- Doxycycline is effective in treating female patients with acute urethral syndrome caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum 4
Antibiotic Susceptibility
- The in vitro activity of tetracycline, doxycycline, erythromycin, roxithromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin was tested against 63 clinical isolates of Ureaplasma urealyticum 5
- Moxifloxacin was the most active agent in vitro against U. urealyticum, with the narrowest difference between MIC and MBC values, followed closely by levofloxacin 5
- Clarithromycin was the most active macrolide 5