Ureaplasma urealyticum necrotizing soft tissue infection

Ian Gassiep1, Letitia Gore2, Joanne L Dale3

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases, Princess Alexandra Hospital, 199 Ipswich Rd, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.

Insights

Ureaplasma urealyticum can cause rare, severe infections outside the urogenital tract, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing these serious Ureaplasma urealyticum soft tissue and joint infections.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Ureaplasma urealyticum is a common urogenital bacterium.
  • It is typically associated with localized urogenital infections.
  • Increasing reports link it to non-urogenital infections, especially with advancements in immunosuppressive therapies.

Observation:

  • A rare case of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection is presented.
  • The infection manifested as necrotizing soft tissue infection and septic arthritis of the left hip.
  • The patient was hypogammaglobulinaemic, indicating an immunocompromised state.

Findings:

  • Ureaplasma urealyticum was identified as the causative agent.
  • The infection involved severe soft tissue necrosis and joint destruction.
  • This highlights the potential for Ureaplasma urealyticum to cause invasive, systemic disease.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider Ureaplasma urealyticum in non-urogenital infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Early nucleic-acid diagnostic investigations are recommended.
  • Empiric therapy should include agents with activity against Ureaplasma, especially in high-risk patients.

Related Concept Videos

Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction01:27

Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction

Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the renal parenchyma and collecting system, including the renal pelvis, tubules, and interstitial tissue of one or both kidneys. It can be classified as either acute—a sudden, severe infection—or chronic, which refers to long-term or recurrent kidney infections.The primary cause of acute pyelonephritis (APN) is bacterial infection, with Escherichia coli accounting for approximately 70-80% of cases. Other bacteria, such...
830
Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology01:25

Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of urinary tract infections (UTIs) encompasses several progressive stages, beginning with bacterial colonization and culminating in potential systemic complications if untreated. UTIs are primarily initiated by bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, which often originate from the gastrointestinal tract and migrate to the urinary system through the periurethral area. This migration can occur via several routes, including improper hygiene practices, sexual activity, or...
862
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
501
Necrosis01:16

Necrosis

Necrosis is considered as an “accidental” or unexpected form of cell death that ends in cell lysis. The first noticeable mention of “necrosis” was in 1859 when Rudolf Virchow used this term to describe advanced tissue breakdown in his compilation titled “Cell Pathology”.
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become...
6.8K
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
610
Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes01:30

Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes

Spirochetes, unique bacteria in the phylum Spirochaetes, are gram-negative, motile, tightly coiled, slender, and flexible. They inhabit aquatic sediments and animals, with some causing diseases like syphilis. Spirochetes are classified into eight genera based on habitat, pathogenicity, phylogeny, and characteristics.Their distinctive motility arises from endoflagella, located within the cell’s periplasm. These endoflagella anchor at the cell poles and extend along the cell length, encased...
948