From the Guidelines
Ureaplasma is a type of bacteria that can cause infections like urethritis, and the standard treatment is antibiotics, usually doxycycline (100mg twice daily for 7 days) or azithromycin (1.0–1.5 g p.o. SD), as recommended by the European Association of Urology guidelines 1. Ureaplasma is a type of bacteria that can live in your urinary or reproductive tract, commonly found in sexually active adults, and often causes no symptoms at all 1. However, sometimes it can cause infections like urethritis (inflammation of the urethra), cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix), or other genital infections. Symptoms might include pain during urination, unusual discharge, or discomfort during sex.
Key Characteristics of Ureaplasma
- Ureaplasma is typically transmitted through sexual contact, though it can occasionally be passed from mother to baby during childbirth.
- Unlike some other bacteria, Ureaplasma lacks a cell wall, which means certain antibiotics like penicillins won't work against it 1.
- That's why specific antibiotics that target the bacteria's protein synthesis are needed, such as doxycycline or azithromycin.
Treatment and Prevention
- If you're diagnosed with a Ureaplasma infection, the standard treatment is antibiotics, usually doxycycline (100mg twice daily for 7 days) or azithromycin (1.0–1.5 g p.o. SD), as recommended by the European Association of Urology guidelines 1.
- It's essential to complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve before you finish.
- Your sexual partners should also be treated to prevent reinfection.
- Regular condom use can help prevent transmission, and it's advisable to abstain from sexual activity until both you and your partner complete treatment.
From the FDA Drug Label
Nongonococcal urethritis caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum. Other Microorganisms ... Ureaplasma urealyticum
Ureaplasma is a type of bacteria, specifically Ureaplasma urealyticum, which can cause nongonococcal urethritis 2. It is also listed as one of the microorganisms that doxycycline is active against 2.
From the Research
Characteristics of Ureaplasma
- Ureaplasma species are the most prevalent genital Mycoplasma isolated from the urogenital tract of both men and women 3
- There are 14 known serotypes of Ureaplasma, which is divided into two biovars: Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum 3
- The organism has several genes coding for surface proteins, including the gene encoding the Multiple Banded Antigen (MBA) 3
- Ureaplasma has various virulence factors, such as phospholipases A and C, IgA protease, and urease 3
Infections and Associations
- Ureaplasma is associated with genital tract infections, infertility, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and diseases in the newborn, including chronic lung disease and retinopathy of prematurity 3
- Infection with Ureaplasma can produce cytokines in the amniotic fluid, which can initiate preterm labor 3
- Ureaplasma has also been reported in cases of renal stone and suppurative arthritis 3
- Genital infections with Ureaplasma have been reported with increasing frequency in HIV-infected patients, and it may be a candidate 'co-factor' in the pathogenesis of AIDS 3
- Ureaplasma urealyticum is an opportunistic bacterium that can cause a wide range of infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients with hypogammaglobulinemia 4
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are the main methods of diagnosis for Ureaplasma infections 3
- Commercial assays are available with improved turnaround time, and microbroth dilution is used to test antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates 3
- Ureaplasma isolates are tested against azithromycin, josamycin, ofloxacin, and doxycycline, and resistance to macrolides, tetracyclines, and fluoroquinolones has been reported 3
- Azithromycin has been shown to be effective in treating Ureaplasma urealyticum, with a comparable therapeutic effect to other antibiotics 5
- The efficacy of azithromycin may not be affected by the dose or duration of treatment 5
- Other treatment options, such as doxycycline, have been used successfully in cases of invasive Ureaplasma infection 6