[Role of ureaplasma in human infectious pathology]

Ureaplasmas are increasingly considered responsible for a variety of genitourinary pathologies in both men and women. However a critical review of the medical literature produces some reservations about the way surveys have been conducted largely due to the inadequate application of epidemiological research techniques and the failure to adopt either a global microbiological approach or a correct antibiotic-placebo experimental trial. Despite these negative factors some interesting indications appear to emerge and it is now certain that ureaplasmas are responsible for certain forms of non-gonococcic urethritis (NGU) and chronic prostatitis. More complex and still widely debated is the question of the involvement of ureaplasmas in obstetrical, gynaecological and neonatal pathologies. Two clinical pictures, chorion-amnionitis and low birth weight are considered the most probably pathological forms caused by ureaplasmas. However further tests using analytical epidemiological methods are required for their definite recognition.