From the Guidelines
Ureaplasma can be sexually transmitted to male partners, and it is crucial to evaluate and treat all at-risk sexual partners to prevent reinfection. According to the European Association of Urology guidelines on urological infections, Ureaplasma urealyticum is considered an aetiological agent in non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) 1. The symptoms of urethritis include mucopurulent or purulent discharge, dysuria, and urethral pruritus, although many urethral infections are asymptomatic.
Key Considerations
- Ureaplasma urealyticum, but not U. parvum, is an aetiological agent in NGU 1
- Empiric treatment should commence on diagnosis in cases of severe urethritis, while mild cases can delay treatment until guided by nucleic acid amplification test results
- It is essential to evaluate and treat all at-risk sexual partners while upholding patient confidentiality 1
Treatment Recommendations
- The recommended treatment for Ureaplasma infection is typically doxycycline 100mg twice daily for 7 days or azithromycin 1g as a single dose
- Alternative treatments include azithromycin 500mg on day 1 followed by 250mg daily for 4 more days
- For persistent infections, extended therapy with doxycycline for 14 days or a combination of antibiotics may be necessary
Prevention of Reinfection
- Both partners should abstain from sexual activity until treatment is complete and symptoms have resolved
- It is essential to complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve before finishing
- Ureaplasma infection can cycle back and forth between partners, leading to chronic or recurrent infections if not properly treated 1
From the Research
Ureaplasma Transmission to Male Partners
- Ureaplasma species, including Ureaplasma urealyticum (UUR) and Ureaplasma parvum (UPA), can be transmitted to male partners through sexual contact 2
- The transmission pathways of Ureaplasma species include sexual contact, and the species of Ureaplasma, sexual history of the patient, number of sexual partners, and load of Ureaplasma are expected to constitute key risk factors in the development of male infertility 2
Ureaplasma Infection in Male Partners
- Ureaplasma species can impair semen motility and may be an etiological agent in unexplained infertility 2
- Ureaplasma infection in male partners can be treated with antibiotics, with doxycycline being the drug of first choice for ureaplasmal infections 2, 3
- The antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Ureaplasma species can vary, with some species showing resistance to common antimicrobial agents such as erythromycin and tetracycline 4
Prevention and Treatment of Ureaplasma Infection
- Prevention and treatment of Ureaplasma infection in male partners can be achieved through the use of antibiotics such as doxycycline, levofloxacin, and azithromycin 3
- The efficacy of these antibiotics can vary depending on the species of Ureaplasma and the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the isolate 3
- Doxycycline has been shown to be effective in preventing and treating Ureaplasma lung infection in immunosuppressed mice, except for doxycycline-resistant UU 3