home Adviсe How ureaplasma is transmitted: ways of infection, first symptoms and methods of treatment. Infection with ureaplasmosis Ureaplasma parvum survivability in the external environment

How ureaplasma is transmitted: ways of infection, first symptoms and methods of treatment. Infection with ureaplasmosis Ureaplasma parvum survivability in the external environment

Ureaplasia is an inflammation of the genitourinary tract, which is caused by special bacteria of the membrane type. These microorganisms are opportunistic pathogens. Living in the human body for years, they begin to actively multiply with the onset of favorable conditions. The doctor diagnoses the disease only when all studies have been carried out, and inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system are associated with the activity of the Ureaplasma bacterium without the presence of other microorganisms.

Ureaplasma is transmitted in various ways, but mostly sexually. At the first symptoms of the disease, you should immediately consult a doctor to prevent the development of complications.

Show all

Varieties of ureaplasma

Today, more than 14 types of Ureaplasma bacteria are known, but only the following can cause the disease:

urealiticum;
parvum;
spices.

All these bacteria do not have a shell, and therefore they quickly penetrate into the blood, mucous membranes and the secret of the male ejaculate. Most of the bacteria are found in the genital area and urinary canal. While a person’s immunity can fight, he will not allow an increase in ureaplasma, but as soon as an infection enters the body, active reproduction of bacteria of this species begins.

Symptoms and signs of the disease

Pathological signs of ureaplasmosis do not appear immediately, but some time after infection. Therefore, a sick person may not even be aware of the presence of an ailment and continue to spread the infection further.

In most cases, the symptoms of the disease largely coincide with inflammation of the genitourinary system. Therefore, it is not always possible to immediately make a correct diagnosis. But in general, the symptoms of the disease in women can manifest themselves as follows:

Discharges that are characterized by an atypical amount, color and smell. A similar symptom is characteristic of colpitis and cervicitis.
Frequent and painful urination, more characteristic of cystitis.
Severe spasmodic pain in the lower abdomen, which is typical for many diseases of the female reproductive system.

But the younger the infected woman, the more pronounced the symptoms of the disease. In this case, vulvovaginitis develops, inflammation spreads to the cervix and urethra.

In men, the disease manifests itself in the form of urethritis with inflammation of the urinary canal and characteristic cloudy discharge. Most often, this symptom is observed in the morning hours. Allocations may disappear on their own, but soon appear again. Pain and pain during urination in men is absent.

If the disease flows into a chronic form, then the following symptoms may be observed:

narrowing of the urethra;
inflammation of the epididymis;
change in the fluidity of the seminal secret;
decrease in seed motility.

In rare cases, both sexes may experience pain and discomfort in the lumbar region and joints, redness in the throat during oral sex, discharge from the anus during anal intercourse.

Complications of pathology

The vigorous activity of the ureaplasma pathogen can lead to serious health complications in both men and women. The bacterium can cause diseases of the urinary organs:

cystitis or inflammation of the bladder;
pyelonephritis - inflammation of the renal pelvis;
urolithiasis - urolithiasis.

The activity of ureaplasma is enzymatic, so the penetration of bacteria into the body can lead to the development of an inflammatory process in the joints. But the main complications after infection are in men, among them:

asthenospermia or infertility;
inflammation of the epididymis.

In women, against the background of infection with ureaplasma, the following complications begin to develop:

chronic inflammatory processes in the uterine appendages;
inflammation of the organs of the urinary system, which periodically recur;
changes in the structure of the egg;
intrauterine infection of the fetus, if the infection occurred during pregnancy;
threatened miscarriage and premature birth.

It is important to detect the infection early. Otherwise, complications will have to be treated.

Causes and conditions of infection

Medical studies of the complete pathogenicity of ureaplasma microorganisms have not been proven. But in the presence of favorable factors, there is a rapid activation of the bacteria and the spread of the inflammatory process to the internal organs. The main risk factors are:

Unprotected intercourse.
Early onset of sexual activity and promiscuity.
STDs and other gynecological diseases.
Age up to 30 years.
Taking hormonal drugs and antibiotics without medical supervision.
Frequent stress.
A sharp deterioration in the quality of life.
Severe weakening of the immune system.

The main way of transmission of the disease is sexual contact. It is impossible to get infected with ureaplasma in a domestic way. The infection can enter the body during blowjob, anal or vaginal sex without the use of a condom. A child can become infected in the womb if the infection occurs during pregnancy.

Diagnostics

Ureaplasmosis refers to latent sexual infections that can only be detected by using specially designed diagnostic methods. Most often, specialists prescribe the following methods of examining a patient:

Taking a smear for bacterial culture- it helps to determine the number of bacteria and their sensitivity to antibiotics.
PCR diagnostics- helps to identify bacteria even if other methods have been useless.
Bacterioscopic examination- This method is used frequently, but is ineffective.
ELISA- allows you to identify the bacterium itself in the blood and antibodies developed against it.

Once the presence of the disease is established, treatment should begin immediately. But you can not resort to the use of medicines on your own.

Medical therapy

The main site of localization of the bacterium ureaplasma is the mucous membrane of the genital organs. Therefore, treatment should be carried out not only in an infected person, but also in a sexual partner. For the entire period of therapy, you should refuse to take alcohol, spicy and fatty foods, exclude intimacy.

Therapy is selected in each case individually, based on the type and degree of spread of the bacteria. If there is any concomitant disease, then its symptoms are stopped simultaneously with the suppression of the vital activity of the ureaplasma bacteria.

At the end of the course of therapy, it is necessary to undergo an examination for the presence of infection for four months.

Acute treatment

If the disease is not complicated by anything, then the patient is prescribed a course of antibiotic therapy. Most often prescribed:

erythromycin;
azithromycin;
clarithromycin;
roxithromycin.

The dosage is selected by the doctor individually for each patient. But all drugs in this group have a number of side effects, which include pain and discomfort in the abdomen, nausea and diarrhea. A contraindication for the use of antibiotics is individual intolerance to the components and serious liver pathologies. It is also forbidden to take macrolides for pregnant and lactating women.

In addition to macrolides, an antibiotic from the group of tetracyclines, doxycycline, is also used to treat the disease. This drug has the same side effects and contraindications.

Treatment of the chronic form

If the disease has flowed into a chronic form, then antibiotic therapy may be longer than with the timely detection of infection. In this case, both partners are waiting for complex treatment, which will include several types of drugs.

To strengthen immunity, you need to take such means as:

Immudon;
Immunal;
Immunomax;
echinacea tincture;
lemongrass extract.

In rare cases, physiotherapeutic methods and local agents are used to relieve the symptoms of the disease:

rectal suppositories, irrigation of the vagina with special means, the introduction of drugs into the urethra;
prostate massage in men or gynecological procedures in women;
electrophoresis and magnetotherapy;
hirudotherapy;
intravenous laser blood irradiation.

Preventive measures

The main ways of contracting the disease is unprotected sexual intercourse. You can't get sick through saliva and kissing.

In order not to become infected with ureaplasma, you should:

Avoid casual sex.
Use protective equipment during sex. Especially when it comes to oral or anal intercourse. In the oral cavity and intestines, the walls of the mucous membrane are very sensitive, so the infection easily penetrates the body. In addition, there may be slight damage to the mucous membrane in the mouth after eating, and through the cracks the bacteria will enter directly into the bloodstream. A condom protects against possible infection.
Strictly observe the hygiene of the genitals.

people of childbearing age are infected with ureaplasma

Scientists have been studying the pathogenic properties of ureaplasma since the middle XX century. According to statistics, from 40-80% of people of childbearing age are infected with ureaplasma. The main route of infection is unprotected sex. The bacterium is also found in 5% of children born from mothers infected with ureaplasma.

And just carriers of ureaplasma, and people suffering from ureaplasmosis are sources of infection. Their sexual partners always become infected through sex without a condom.

We offer to figure out how ureaplasmosis is transmitted, and what to do to avoid infection.

Ureaplasma: transmission features

How can you get infected with ureaplasma? The microbe is attached to the cylindrical cells of the mucosa, which covers the urinary organs. Due to the energy of the cell, the bacterium lives and multiplies, but cannot live for a long time in the external environment.

Therefore, most often infection occurs through direct contact with the mucous membrane, which has ureaplasma - for example, during unprotected sex. According to the same mechanism, a pregnant woman transmits ureaplasma to a child during childbirth - when it comes into contact with the vaginal mucosa.

Ureaplasma can also be transmitted by household contact, when infected urine, semen or vaginal discharge enter the mucous membrane of the urinary organs - for example, from linen or household surfaces.

If other bacteria that are sexually transmitted join the ureaplasma, then a mixed infection occurs. This is a condition in which different microorganisms enhance the pathogenic properties of each other.

Let's take a closer look at how the infection is transmitted.

Sexual transmission of ureaplasma

The transmission of ureaplasmosis occurs during vaginal, oral and anal sex. A direct relationship has been proven between the number of sexual partners and the frequency of detection of ureaplasma infection.

According to statistics, ureaplasma of different groups of women is found with different frequencies:

among virgins - 5%,
the presence of 1 sexual partner - 37%,
the presence of 3 or more sexual partners - 75%.

The prevalence of ureaplasma among men is also uneven:

in virgin men - 0%,
in men with 2 sexual partners - 26%,
more than 14 sexual contacts - 56%.

Ureaplasmas are often detected in washings and scrapings from the rectum. Studies among homosexual couples have proven that ureaplasma is transmitted during anal sex.

Scientists A. Rodriguez-Pichardo and J. Aznar in 1991 revealed the presence of ureaplasmas in the rectum in 12% of homosexuals with symptoms of urethritis.

Ureaplasma is also able to live on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and pharynx. This causes clinical manifestations in the form of pharyngitis, gum disease and inflammation of the oral cavity. The latest study by Japanese scientists Deguchi T., Yasuda M. in 2009 proved the transmission of ureaplasma infection during oral sex. Japanese prostitutes were subject to examination, in whom Ureaplasma urealyticum was detected in 0.7% of cases, and Ureaplasma parvum - in 0.2%.

Is ureaplasma transmitted through saliva and kisses

According to Japanese studies, it is possible to become infected with ureaplasma after oral sex. But if you look at the percentages, the probability of such infection is quite low. Saliva is a biological environment in which the desquamated mucosal epithelium can be located along with ureaplasmas.

There is no scientific evidence of reliable saliva infection through kissing. But in general, such a possibility exists. The bacterium can gain a foothold on the oral mucosa if a person has severely reduced immunity or there is damage to the oral cavity.

Is ureaplasma transmitted through a condom

As we have already said, contact of mucous membranes is necessary for infection. It has been proven that ureaplasma does not pass through a condom if it is whole. In people who neglect the use of a condom, ureaplasma is found 4.5 times more often.

During sex with an infected partner, a cylindrical epithelium with ureaplasmas remains on the surface of the condom. Therefore, you need to put on a new condom if the type of sex changes. For example, when switching from vaginal sex to anal or oral. This prevents the infection from spreading to different areas of the body.

Infection with ureaplasma in a child during childbirth

Urealasmosis is common among people of reproductive age. The disease must be treated at the stage of pregnancy planning. It is already more difficult to treat a woman after she has become pregnant, because her immunity decreases and contraindications to certain antibiotics appear.

Studies conducted in 2004 by scientists D. Kafetzis and C. Skevaki revealed Ureaplasma urealyticum in 17% of children during normal delivery and 33% in preterm birth from mothers infected with ureaplasma. Interestingly, newborn girls become infected more often than boys, because the infection penetrates into their genitals more easily.

Infection of the fetus is possible in the following ways:

In early pregnancy The bacterium enters the uterus and then into the lungs of the fetus. This leads to congenital pneumonia.
Hematogenous way— i.e. through the blood. The bacterium penetrates the placenta, then into the vessels of the umbilical cord. Ureaplasma is later found in cord blood.
When the baby passes through the birth canal. Later, when analyzing colonies of ureaplasma, they are detected on the skin, mucous membranes and respiratory tract of the newborn.

It has been proven that intrauterine ureaplasma infection leads to premature birth. When researching in USA(2003) it was found that in pregnant women with ureaplasmosis, problems with bearing occur 20% more often.

household route of transmission

Once in the external environment, ureaplasma dies after about 2 hours. Only 10% of ureaplasmas can survive longer than this time. Therefore, scientists consider the contact-household route of infection technically possible, but rare. On the other hand, when ureaplasma is found in people who are not yet sexually active and born from healthy mothers, this can only be explained by household infection.

Possible places where you can become infected with ureaplasma are a toilet seat in public toilets, public baths and saunas, the use of shared towels, hygiene products, contact with someone else's underwear.

Ureaplasma transmission during organ transplant

Ureaplasma subspecies urealyticum is able to decompose urea. Therefore, when it enters the genitourinary organs, the bacterium “likes” to live on kidney cells. When a donor kidney is transplanted, the infection passes to a person along with a foreign organ and can subsequently affect the formation of kidney stones.

In a 1981 study, 13% of 123 kidney transplant patients had ureaplasma in their urine. After transplantation, all patients are forced to take drugs that reduce immunity so that organ rejection does not occur. And, as we have already said, reduced immunity is a favorable condition for the development of infection.

You can prevent infection with ureaplasma if you do not have a promiscuous sex life or use condoms. It is mandatory to be examined for ureaplasma when planning a pregnancy. The household route of infection is unlikely, but in order not to risk it, it is better to use individual hygiene products.

Ureaplasma urealyticum under the microscope

Let's consider where ureaplasma comes from and how it is transmitted, the reasons for its activation, why pathogenic microorganisms are mainly spread through sexual contact, whether unconventional sex is a protection against them, whether the pathogen can enter the body through household items, be transmitted through kisses, saliva, is there a chance of repeated infection and how effective the barrier contraceptive is.

What does ureaplasma look like - look at the photo:

Ureaplasma got its name due to the ability to break down urea, which has the name ureolysis.

How ureaplasma is transmitted: sexually and vertically, the likelihood of a household method of infection

This infection is included in the list of urogenital diseases (sexually transmitted diseases), so it is easy to understand how ureaplasma is transmitted.

So, what are the ways of transmitting a tiny bacterium:

sexual - from an infected partner to a healthy one
vertical - from mother to baby (fetus).
contact-household, although it is quite controversial for this pathogen

Let's take a closer look at transmission methods. Let's find out whether the pathogen can be transmitted through a condom, whether kisses and household items pose a threat.

How can you get infected with ureaplasmosis during intimate "communication"? Ureaplasma is transmitted both through vaginal and oral contact.

Superiority in the spread of infection is held by traditional sexual contacts that are not protected by a barrier method. Most individuals with good immunity are only carriers of bacteria with which they infect their partners.

There is an opinion - quite controversial and not scientifically proven - that pathogenic microbes are microscopic in size and therefore they can seep through the "gum".

Many couples are not limited to vaginal intercourse. The forums are often interested in: "Is it possible to get ureaplasmosis during oral sex?" Answer: yes. With a blowjob, the infection easily seeps into the body, especially if the partner has sores or wounds in the oral cavity. After a certain period of time, a sore throat with all its characteristic signs may occur. To reduce the likelihood of infection, some experts advise treating the oral mucosa with an antiseptic.

The risk of infection increases with casual relationships, frequent changes of sex partners. Women are predominantly carriers of the infection. Is it possible to get infected with anal intercourse? Answer: no. Bacilli are not able to stay on the rectal mucosa.

If the penetration of the infection occurred sexually, then the incubation period lasts about a month and its duration depends on the state of the body of the victim.

How can a small child get infected? Infection occurs during the vertical route of transmission of the disease, when the infection passes from mother to fetus in utero or when the child passes through the birth canal. Doctors detect an infection on the genitals in almost 30% of newborns (more often in girls). Bacilli can spontaneously disappear or live in the body throughout life.

Babies born to an infected mother are more likely to be diagnosed with:

pneumonia
meningitis
disturbances in the work of internal organs

An increase in the number of bacteria during an “interesting situation” can cause complications in the development of the fetus: anemia, oxygen starvation, underweight, and pathologies of internal organs.

Please note that in order to prevent primary infection, a pregnant woman should not violate the culture of intimate relationships, if necessary, use a condom.

Is it possible to get infected by household route? This method raises doubts among many physicians. When investigating the issue of domestic infection, attention should be focused on the possibility of activation of pathogens with a decrease in immunity due to stress, illness, or another sexually transmitted disease.

Some researchers consider the everyday way impossible because:

the virus lives only on the mucosa of the genitourinary sphere
not protected by a shell, therefore "unarmed" in front of the environment

Through poorly washed hands, dishes or clothes, bacteria cannot enter the body and develop there. Beaches, baths, pools can act as routes of transmission of infection only if there was proximity to the carrier of the pathogen in these places.

Piercing on the genitals is currently popular. Not everyone knows that if you do it in improper conditions or with unprofessional craftsmen, then the risk of catching an infection is quite high. This also applies to depilation, haircuts in the bikini area.

Frequently asked questions on the forums:

Note that there is a risk of infection during transplantation of internal organs. Such facts are rarely recorded, since the organs undergo a thorough examination before the operation.

It is difficult to diagnose ureaplasmosis solely by symptoms and external examination, since there is no specific clinical picture in the pathology.

In addition, infection provocateurs are not always clear.

For example, Bartonella infection can be quickly diagnosed if an individual indicates recent contact with animals (especially if there have been bites, scratches). Infection with the bacterium legionella is often the result of the use of air conditioners and humidifiers, the bacterium borrelia - a tick bite.

If an infection is suspected, venereologists can refer to the following methods:

The most informative and accurate is PCR diagnostics - the sensitivity is about 98%. It allows you to identify the microorganism itself, determine its concentration, check the resistance of bacilli to various medicines. It is not difficult to understand the result of PCR - the amount of ureaplasma RNA in the sample should not exceed 104 CFU per 1 ml. If the titer is higher, then this indicates an increased activity of microorganisms.

If the DNA of Ureaplasma species - ureaplasma parvum or ureaplasma urealiticum - was detected in the analysis of a woman or a man, this does not mean that there is a reason for panic. It is necessary to treat ureaplasma only if its amount per milliliter of secretions is exceeded, and the person has symptoms of inflammation. If ureaplasma is simply present in a person and does not create problems, it does not need to be treated.

In almost 80% of cases, along with ureaplasmas, other pathogens are also detected - chlamydia (Chlamydia), gardnerella, gonococci, Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas. Such mixed infections can change the picture of pathologists, help each other to protect themselves from the effects of medications.

Specialists can diagnose the disorder along with herpesvirus (HSV-2), reovirus, cytomegalovirus, Trypanosoma cruzi, EBV (Epstein-Barr virus), anthropophilic fungus, etc. Myometritis, endometritis, salpinogo-oophoritis are quite rare "companions" of ureaplasma infection.

Please note that when passing any analysis, you can not take antiviral and antibacterial drugs.

Ureaplasma: nature, causes of increased activity, symptoms

Ureaplasma is a tiny unicellular opportunistic pathogen. Its diameter does not exceed 0.3 microns. Belongs to gram-negative microbes that do not have a cell wall.

The structure of the pathogen, where they live in the body

Among the many varieties of the pathogen for humans, Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum (the general name is Ureaplasma species or Ureaplasma spp) are dangerous.

The absence of a cell wall in a microorganism makes ureaplasma resistant to certain types of antibiotics. Many antibiotics kill bacteria precisely by destroying cell walls. But since the ureaplasma does not have a wall (only the nucleus and DNA), then the antibiotic has nothing to destroy.

The norm of Ureaplasma spp in women and men is considered to be its amount of no more than 104 CFU/1 ml. If a person detects ureaplasma in a higher concentration, even without signs of inflammation, this is already an indication for treatment with antibacterial drugs.

During normal functioning of the immune system, bacilli can stay in the body for years and do not cause inconvenience, do not lead to any malfunctions in the functioning of organs and systems. When investigating the question of how it is possible to become infected with pathogens, it should be taken into account that about 60-70% of sexually active men and women are carriers the smallest creatures.

The infection is activated:

If the concentration of pathogens exceeded the permissible level.
With dysbacteriosis. There is an imbalance of normal and conditionally pathogenic microflora. The protective barrier weakens, which leads to the development of the inflammatory process.
With a decrease in local immunity of the genitourinary system. This can occur with frequent stress, hypothermia, an unbalanced diet, chronic fatigue, lack of sleep, after an abortion, during the menstrual cycle, with the introduction or removal of an intrauterine device.
With a hereditary predisposition to diseases that provoke Ureaplasma species.

Among the reasons for the active reproduction of bacteria can also be: the early onset of sexual activity, the use of hormonal and antibiotic medications, poor living conditions, and radiation exposure.

With knowledge of what ureaplasma urealiticum is, how the infection is transmitted, one can prevent the development of dangerous pathologies in adults, protect newborns and even those children whose birth is only planned from diseases.

Symptoms of infection in women, men

The prolonged course of the disease leads to the spread of infection to the internal organs. In the strong half of humanity, this is the prostate and testicles, in the weak half, the uterus and ovaries, fallopian tubes.

An increase in the number of bacilli in women is indicated by:

signs of chronic cervicitis, colpitis: cloudy or clear vaginal discharge
unpleasant smell of discharge
feeling of discomfort in the perineum
unpleasant smell of discharge
pain during intimacy

Bloody discharge is a signal that the infection is rapidly developing on the vaginal mucosa and has begun to move to the cervix. The discharge may be whitish with scarlet streaks and blood clots.

Men who are infected with ureaplasmosis are concerned about the following ailments:

burning, pain and itching in the area of the urethra (urethra)
discomfort in the lower abdomen
some features of prostatitis, including mucous discharge
inflammation of the testis and appendages (orchiepidimitis)

What is the danger of infection

Ureaplasmosis, as an inflammatory process, can harm the entire body. In particular, it is associated with:

ovulation disorders
infertility
spermatogenesis
premature birth

Note that the frequency of infection in pregnant women is 20-30%. Also, the infection can cause inflammation of the joints (rheumatoid arthritis), urolithiasis, pyelonephritis, cystitis, adnexitis, etc.

Prevention: follow 3 simple rules

It's easy to be healthy and feel safe. Follow three rules:

At least 2 times a year, visit a gynecologist (urologist) for a preventive examination.
Strive to have a permanent partner for intimate relationships.
Use a condom as a reliable protective barrier against infection.

If bacilli are found in one of the partners, then the second one should also be examined. If the number of bacteria exceeds the norm, then the treatment must be carried out together.

I suggest watching a video where a practicing dermatovenereologist Makarchuk Vyacheslav Vasilyevich talks about infection with ureaplasma.

Now you know where ureaplasma comes from, how it is transmitted, and whether the infection can spread through saliva, kisses, or oral contact. We figured out whether ureplasmosis can be transmitted in everyday life, why a condom should be used, and whether there is a possibility of re-infection.

Consciously treat your health so that life is not overshadowed by illness!

It is impossible to say unequivocally that ureaplasma infection refers to sexually transmitted infections. The fact is that the causative agent is Ureaplasma urealyticum, belonging to the genus Mycoplasma, which can be present in the genital tract of a woman and, accordingly, be transmitted through sexual contact. However, the effect of this pathogen on the development of the inflammatory response is rather ambiguous, so it is often referred to as opportunistic infections.

Often, ureaplasmas show their pathological activity when the body's resistance decreases (the course or exacerbation of a general disease, after menstruation, abortion, childbirth, insertion or removal of an intrauterine device).

Ureaplasmas are attached to the epithelium, leukocytes, spermatozoa and destroy the cell membrane, penetrating into the cytoplasm. Ureaplasma infection can occur both in acute and chronic form (the duration of the disease is more than two months, it has an asymptomatic course). The clinical picture for this infection is quite blurred, in most cases it is combined with chlamydia, trichomonas, gardnerella, and this makes it difficult to establish their role in the pathological process (the main cause of the disease or a concomitant agent).

transmission paths.
Sexual contact, infection at the household level is unlikely. Sometimes there is a vertical route of transmission due to ascending infection from the vagina and cervical canal.

Ureaplasmas can be passed from mother to child during childbirth. Usually they are found on the genitals, and most often in girls, and the nasopharynx of newborn babies, regardless of gender. Intrauterine infection of the fetus with ureaplasma occurs in rare cases, since the placenta perfectly protects against any infection. There are cases when newborn infected children experience self-healing from ureaplasmas (more often in boys). In girls of school age who are not sexually active, ureaplasmas are detected only in 5-22% of cases.

The average incubation period is two to three weeks.

Often, ureaplasmas are detected in people who lead an active sex life, as well as in people who have three or more sexual partners.

Diagnosis of the disease in women.
To confirm the diagnosis, the following studies are carried out:

Cultural study on selective media. A similar examination in three days reveals the culture of the pathogen and separates ureaplasmas from various mycoplasmas. The materials for the study are scrapings from the urogenital tract, as well as the patient's urine. Thanks to this technique, it is possible to determine the sensitivity of pathogens to antibiotics. This method is used for the simultaneous detection of Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum.
Detection of DNA pathogens using the PCR method (polymerase chain reaction). During the day, the pathogen and its species are detected in a scraping from the urogenital tract.
Serological tests to determine the presence of antigens and antibodies to them in the blood. This is especially important in the presence of relapses of the disease, as well as in the development of complications and infertility.

An examination for the presence of ureaplasma is often recommended for women who have suffered inflammation of the appendages and uterus, suffer from miscarriage and infertility, have cervical erosion and menstrual irregularities, and also suffer from chronic colpitis.

Symptoms.
The patient, as a rule, has no idea about the disease for a long time. In most cases, ureaplasmas do not have any symptomatic manifestations, or these manifestations are reduced to scanty clear vaginal discharge and uncomfortable sensations during urination. It should be noted that the first symptoms disappear rather quickly, which cannot be said about the ureaplasmas themselves, which remain in the body and when the immune system is weakened (hypothermia, excessive exercise, illness, stress, etc.), acute ureaplasmosis develops with more pronounced symptoms .

In general, the manifestations of ureaplasmosis in women are similar to the symptoms of inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary organs. Less commonly, it is characterized by more pronounced symptoms and occurs in the form of acute and subacute vulvovaginitis, and the inflammatory process often affects the cervix and urethra. If ureaplasma caused inflammation of the uterus and appendages, then the symptoms are pains in the lower abdomen of varying intensity. If infection occurred through oral sexual contact, then signs of ureaplasmosis will be tonsillitis and pharyngitis with their corresponding symptoms.

Mixed infections (ureaplasma-chlamydial and others) have more pronounced symptoms.

Other, but rare, symptoms of ureaplasma infection are the appearance of endometritis, myometritis, salpingo-oophoritis.

With a hidden carriage of ureaplasma, the development of an infectious process can be provoked by:

the accession of an infection of various origins;
hormonal changes associated with the phase of the menstrual cycle;
pregnancy, childbirth;
decrease in the body's defenses.

If ureaplasmas have spread to the deeper parts of the urinary system, urethral syndrome may develop. In 20% of cases, ureaplasmas were found in urinary stones in urolithiasis. Cases of acute hemorrhagic cystitis against the background of mycoureaplasma infection, with lesions of the upper and lower parts of the genitourinary system, have also been recorded.

Ureaplasma during pregnancy.
When planning a pregnancy, the first thing a woman needs to do is to be examined for the presence of ureaplasma. This is due to two reasons. Firstly, the presence of even a minimal amount of ureaplasmas in the genitourinary system of a healthy woman during the period of bearing a child leads to their activation, as a result of which ureaplasmosis develops. And secondly, in the early stages of pregnancy, it is impossible to treat ureaplasmosis (by the way, during this period it is most dangerous for the fetus), since antibiotics adversely affect the growth and proper development of the fetus. Therefore, it is better to identify ureaplasmas, if any, in advance, before pregnancy, and be cured. This disease is also dangerous for the fetus because during childbirth the infection is transmitted to the child through the birth canal.

If a pregnant woman has become infected with ureaplasmosis, it is imperative to consult a doctor to clarify the diagnosis.

To prevent infection of the baby during childbirth, postpartum infection of the mother's blood, as well as to reduce the risk of premature delivery or spontaneous miscarriages in the early stages, a pregnant woman with this disease is given antibiotic therapy after twenty-two weeks of pregnancy. The drugs are selected by the attending physician. In addition to antibiotics, drugs are prescribed to increase the body's defenses in order to reduce the risk of a secondary infection.

Ureaplasma treatment.
Treatment of this infectious disease is carried out in a complex manner with the use of antibiotic drugs to which microorganisms are sensitive (tetracycline antibiotics, macrolides, lincosamines), drugs that reduce the risk of side effects during antibiotic therapy, local procedures, drugs that increase immunity (immunomodulators Timalin, Lysozyme, De- caris, Methyluracil), physiotherapy and vitamin therapy (vitamins B and C, hepatoprotectors, lactobacilli) to restore the vaginal and intestinal microflora. A certain diet is also prescribed: the exclusion of spicy, fatty, salty, smoked, fried foods and the inclusion of vitamins and dairy products in the diet). After treatment, several follow-up examinations are carried out.

Indicators of the effectiveness of the treatment:

negative test results for ureaplasma, in particular PCR diagnostics;
restoration of the microflora of the vagina;
absence of clinical symptoms of ureaplasmosis.

As noted above, it happens that the symptoms go away on their own without treatment for ureaplasma. Only some may experience recurrence of symptoms in the future, while others do not. The reasons for this phenomenon have not yet been clarified, so ureaplasmosis continues to be a mysterious disease for doctors.

If you suspect the presence of ureaplasma, both sexual partners should be examined.

Since ureaplasma can be a normal vaginal microflora for some women and a disease for others, only a qualified specialist can decide whether or not to treat this disease.

Prevention of ureaplasmosis in women is the presence of a permanent and reliable sexual partner, mandatory protection in the case of casual sexual contact, examination by a gynecologist.

To date, scientists have identified 14 types of ureaplasma, but only 2 of them are considered the causative agents of ureaplasmosis. They make up a group called by physicians ureaplasma ssp. These are the following types of ureaplasma: urealyticum (Ureaplasma urealyticum) and parvum (Ureaplasma parvum).

The second is more pathogenic, and the disease caused by it proceeds in a more acute form. Men are diagnosed less frequently than women. The pathogenic activity of the bacteria leads to various disorders of the organs of the genitourinary system, including infertility, urolithiasis, and others.

What is ureaplasma parvum, what are the symptoms of its spread and how to treat it?

Bacteria Features

Ureaplasma parvum is part of the opportunistic flora of the genital mucosa of women and men, the bacterium can be freely present in the body of a healthy person, without harming him in a normal state of immunity.

With a decrease in the immune response, general or local, the number of the pathogen begins to grow exponentially, which naturally leads to the manifestation of its pathogenic nature.

Bacteria of the genus Ureaplasma are able to break down urea, and one of the products of this process is ammonia. Its excess leads to damage to the cells of the mucous membrane and the formation of erosion or ulcers on its surface.

Inflammatory processes resulting from this most often affect the vagina, fallopian tubes, cervix in women, seminal ducts, and epididymis in men. The urethra is affected in both sexes.

One of the dangers of infection with ureaplasma parvum bacteria is the blurring of symptoms and its similarity with manifestations of other infectious diseases of the genitourinary system.

If representatives of other STIs were present in the microflora of the genital organs, a decrease in local immunity, pushed by chlamydia, can provoke the activation of their pathogenic properties.

Ways of infection

The pathogen is spread in the following ways:

Sexual way. In this case, parvum ureaplasma enters a healthy body during unprotected sexual contact from an infected partner. Infection occurs even if the latter is exclusively a carrier, that is, its immunity successfully suppresses the pathogenic activity of the bacterium. This is especially common among people who are promiscuous. Infection can occur during any type of sex: traditional, oral or anal.
vertical path. Thus, the conditionally pathogenic flora is transmitted from mother to child in the prenatal period or directly during childbirth, when the newborn passes through the birth canal.
Contact household. Such cases are possible when visiting public places such as baths, saunas, swimming pools, public toilets. The likelihood of infection directly depends on the degree of compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
Organ transplantation. This is the least common mode of transmission, but it does happen. Such cases are possible when untested biological material is used for transplantation.

Infectionists have the term "contagiousness". It means the ability of an infection to be transmitted from an infected organism to a healthy one. Ureaplasmosis and ureaplasma parvum, in particular, are highly contagious.

The probability of transmission of infection by one of these methods is almost 100%. Men are most often carriers, since the bacterium in their bodies does not lead to active inflammation, the disease proceeds in an asymptomatic form.

According to statistics, the definition of ureaplasmosis in men occurs in most cases by chance, with regular examination or suspicion of another infection.

Symptoms and consequences

The pathogenic activity of Ureaplasma parvum is characterized by the development of inflammation in the area of localization of the bacterium. It can be acute or chronic, which most often occurs with a long course of the disease.

Depending on the location of the focus of inflammation, signs of ureaplasmosis in women may include the following conditions:

multiple vaginal discharge having a mucous structure, mixed with pus, and sometimes blood;
uterine bleeding not related to the menstrual cycle;
burning sensation and itching in the perineum;
difficulty urinating (dysuria);
increased urine production (polyuria);
pain and other manifestations of discomfort in the lower abdomen;
discomfort, sometimes pain, during sex;
fever, excessive sweating and signs of intoxication of the body (nausea, skin allergic reactions, etc.);
redness and swelling of the tissues of the vagina and urethra.

In men, the manifestations of the infection are less pronounced and include:

meager discharge from the urethra, having a transparent structure;
itching and burning sensation, sometimes during sex;
pain of varying severity when emptying the bladder (depending on the extent of the spread of the pathogen).

One of the main dangers of ureaplasmosis is its asymptomatic course at the initial stages of pathology development. This incubation period for ureaplasma can range from 2 weeks to several months, and in some cases even years.

In the absence of adequate treatment, the activity of the infectious agent can lead to serious consequences, in some cases irreversible. This is especially true for women who are pregnant or about to conceive.

When carrying a child, the body's immune response decreases naturally. This is a necessary measure for the normal development of the fetus. Such conditions are also ideal for Ureaplasma parvum.

The activity of pathogenic microorganisms can lead to malformations in the fetus. Dramatically increases the likelihood of miscarriage in the early stages and premature birth in the later.

Tests for the presence of ureaplasmosis are a mandatory procedure for every woman in position.

And outside of pregnancy, the danger of infection with Ureaplasma parvum is difficult to overestimate, especially without adequate treatment. Inflammatory processes in the uterus or ovaries can lead to the impossibility of conception in the future.

On the male body, the effect of ureaplasmosis is no less destructive. The main purpose of ureaplasma is the sperm production organs and seminal ducts. The result is a decrease in semen production and an increase in its viscosity.

This can cause infertility, as well as the fact that sperm under the influence of pathological effects become less mobile.

The consequence of the development of inflammatory processes in the prostate area is prostatitis and its characteristic features.

Diagnostics

The most informative and reliable diagnostic methods for detecting Ureaplasma are:

ELISA. In the course of a blood test with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), specific antibodies that appear when infected with ureaplasma are looked for in the sample. When they are detected, we can talk about the presence of a pathogenic bacterium in the body. The disadvantages of the method is the inability to accurately determine the time of infection. Some antibodies can persist for a long time, therefore, the analysis is not always informative.
PCR. With the help of an analysis for (polymerase chain reaction), it is possible to determine with a high degree of probability whether infectious agents are present in the body. The accuracy of the technique is evidenced by the fact that the result can be obtained even in the presence of only one pathogenic bacterium in the sample. False-positive or false-negative results are possible only if the rules for preparing for the sampling procedure are not followed.
Cultural sowing or bakposev. As a result of this study, it is possible to determine not only the presence of a representative of the pathogenic flora in the sample, but also the degree of its resistance to one or another type of antibiotics. Samples of secretions and mucous from the vagina, urethra, seminal fluid, urine and blood are used as the test material. The only disadvantage of this diagnostic method is the duration of the procedures - the result can be obtained only after a few days.

Being a representative of the opportunistic flora, the presence of Ureaplasma in the body does not always mean the presence of pathogenic changes. To clarify this nuance, the analyzes indicate a quantitative characteristic of the content of bacteria in the sample.

If their number exceeds 104 per 1 g of material, we can speak with full confidence about ureaplasmosis in the active phase. This becomes the reason for the appointment of treatment.

Is it necessary to treat ureaplasma parvum if the test results are below this limit?

If the number of pathogens is close to this mark, and there are no clinical manifestations of the disease, the use of antibiotics is not recommended. In such cases, immunostimulating therapy is prescribed.

Treatment

Within its framework, antibacterial drugs (antibiotics), vitamin complexes, anti-inflammatory drugs (non-steroidal ones are preferred), adaptogens and immunostimulants are prescribed.

The most commonly prescribed drugs include:

Ureaplasma is also treated with the help of physiotherapeutic procedures, but they act as auxiliary methods of treatment.

A speedy recovery and the absence of relapses in the future can only be achieved by following all the recommendations and prescriptions of the doctor regarding the treatment regimen.

Otherwise, the repetition of the development of pathology cannot be avoided. In such situations, it is necessary to revise the course of treatment, replacing the antibiotic with a more powerful one. Since the probability of development of resistance by bacteria ureaplasma parvum to the previous one is almost absolute.

Prevention

Among the preventive rules that help avoid infection with ureaplasmosis include:

strict adherence to the principles of hygiene;
the use of barrier protection, especially during sexual contact with an unfamiliar partner;
orderly sex life;
use of antiseptics after unprotected intercourse.

The disease is always easier to prevent than to treat it later. That is why prevention is so important.

Outcome

Ureaplasma parvum is a dangerous and insidious bacterium. Being part of the conditionally pathogenic flora, it may not manifest itself for a long time after infection. But with changes in the immune picture, its pathogenic component is sharply activated.

Considering the consequences that a prolonged course of the disease can lead to, you need to contact a specialized specialist at the first symptoms.

Only timely diagnosis and adequate treatment can save the patient from the disease and possible problems in the future.