Ureaplasma urealyticum and its role in neonatal lung disease

Ureaplasma urealyticum, a species of mycoplasma organisms, is a sexually transmitted organism which can cause a pneumonia in premature neonates. Ureaplasma urealyticum infection in the neonate occurs secondary to maternal transmission of the organism to the neonate. Recent studies show very low birth weight neonates with Ureaplasma urealyticum pneumonia are approximately two times more likely to develop chronic lung disease. Clinically Ureaplasma urealyticum pneumonia presents in a premature neonate and is often coexistent with hyaline membrane disease, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and continued respiratory distress without identification of a causative organism. Diagnosis is generally by tracheal aspirate or spinal fluid culture. Ureaplasma urealyticum requires specific culture media to grow, and recovery of the organism can take several weeks. Clinical management of the infant includes administration of erythromycin and meticulous pulmonary toilet. A case study which represents the typical presentation of Ureaplasma urealyticum pneumonia is included.