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Congenital and opportunistic infections: Ureaplasma species and Mycoplasma hominis

Ken B Waites1, Robert L Schelonka, Li Xiao

  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35249, USA. waiteskb@uab.edu

Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine
|December 26, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Ureaplasmas can cause serious newborn complications like preterm labor and lung injury. Further research is needed to confirm causality and develop targeted antibiotic treatments for better infant outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Obstetrics

Background:

  • Ureaplasmas are implicated in chorioamnionitis, preterm labor, and neonatal lung injury.
  • The role of Ureaplasma spp. and Mycoplasma hominis in neonatal pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis is established.
  • Observational studies link Ureaplasma spp. to bronchopulmonary dysplasia, but causal evidence is pending.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence linking ureaplasmas to adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.
  • To highlight the need for further research into differential pathogenicity among Ureaplasma species and serovars.
  • To guide future investigations aimed at preventing prematurity and improving infant health.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical and experimental animal studies.
  • Analysis of molecular diagnostic technologies for Ureaplasma identification.
  • Synthesis of evidence from observational studies on Ureaplasma and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Main Results:

  • Strong evidence supports ureaplasmas invading the amnionic sac, causing inflammation, preterm labor, and neonatal lung injury.
  • Molecular diagnostics have differentiated Ureaplasma biovars into distinct species.
  • Causality between Ureaplasma spp. and bronchopulmonary dysplasia requires further investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Ureaplasmas are significant pathogens in pregnancy and neonates, contributing to preterm birth and lung injury.
  • Distinguishing pathogenicity between Ureaplasma species and serovars is crucial.
  • Future research should focus on targeted interventions, including antibiotic trials, to improve long-term infant outcomes.

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