Mycoplasmosis
What is mycoplasmosis?
Mycoplasmosis is an infection in humans or animals with the smallest self-sustaining organisms. They are unique among prokaryotes in that they lack a cell wall. This lack largely determines their biological properties, such as the absence of a Gram reaction (the main method for detecting infections) and the lack of sensitivity to the most commonly prescribed antimicrobial agents such as beta-lactam antibiotics. Mycoplasma microorganisms are usually associated with mucosal surfaces and reside extracellularly in the respiratory and urogenital tracts. They rarely penetrate the submucosa, except in cases of suppression of the immune system with immunosuppressants or during surgical intervention, when they can enter the bloodstream and spread to various tissues and organs of the body.
Although scientists have isolated at least 17 species of mycoplasma in humans, only 4 species of these microorganisms are responsible for most of the clinically significant infections that engage the attention of practicing physicians. These species are Mycoplasmapneumoniae, Mycoplasmahominis, MycoplasmagenitaliumandUreaplasma.
In this article we will look at uro-genital mycoplasma infections.
Mycoplasmahominissa infects about 30 to 50% of sexually active men and women, and Ureaplasma infects about half of sexually active women and 5 to 20% of men who have regular sex. Genital mycoplasma infections are spread through direct contact during all forms of sexual intercourse. Mothers can also infect their child with the bacteria at birth or during pregnancy.
What are the symptoms?
Most people have no symptoms, but those who do have it usually manifest as an unusual discharge from the urethra, accompanied by pain or difficulty urinating. In rare cases, complaints are associated with difficulty breathing and joint pain. Most often, these symptoms appear in people with a weak immune system.
Sometimes women develop urethritis from the mycoplasma infection, and although Mycoplasmagenitalium does not cause vaginitis, the vaginal discharge can contribute to the development of other infectious microorganisms. Mycoplasma can become the cause of the development of pelvic inflammatory disease alone and together with other sexually transmitted diseases.
In pregnant women, Ureaplasma can cause inflammation of the amniotic sac and placenta, which increases the risk of rupture of the bladder and stillbirth or premature birth.
Symptoms of infection in a newborn can be subtle. Fever, changes in blood pressure and heart rate, and difficulty breathing are usually the most common signs of infection.
Treatment of uro-genital mycoplasmosis
Antibiotics are prescribed for people who have complaints. In cases where mycoplasma is found together with other disease-causing organisms, the infections should be treated together.
Genital mycoplasma infections are affected by two-week therapy with the following groups of antibiotics – macrolides, fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines. But the disease quite often reappears.
What are the complications of mycoplasmosis
Complications are rare in healthy people, but it is possible for the infection to affect other parts of the genital tract. Some adults, especially those with weakened immune systems, may develop inflammation of the bones, joints, skin rashes, and lung disease. Mycoplasmas are also associated with infertility in women. Infected newborns, especially premature babies, can develop pneumonia or chronic lung disease. Babies are also at a very high risk of developing meningitis.
Can it be prevented
Many people carry mycoplasma bacteria but do not know they are infected and preventing their spread is difficult. Total abstinence from sex is the only sure way to prevent infection.
Most people have no symptoms, but those who do usually experience an unusual discharge from the urethra, accompanied by pain or difficulty urinating. In rare cases, complaints are associated with difficulty breathing and joint pain. Most often, these symptoms appear in people with a weak immune system.
Sometimes women develop urethritis from the mycoplasma infection, and although Mycoplasmagenitalium does not cause vaginitis, the vaginal discharge can contribute to the development of other infectious microorganisms. Mycoplasma can become the cause of the development of pelvic inflammatory disease alone and together with other sexually transmitted diseases.
In pregnant women, Ureaplasma can cause inflammation of the amniotic sac and placenta, which increases the risk of rupture of the bladder and stillbirth or premature birth.
Symptoms of infection in a newborn can be subtle. Fever, changes in blood pressure and heart rate, and difficulty breathing are usually the most common signs of infection.
Treatment of uro-genital mycoplasmosis
Antibiotics are prescribed to people who have complaints. In cases where mycoplasma is found together with other disease-causing organisms, the infections should be treated together.
Genital mycoplasma infections are affected by two-week therapy with the following groups of antibiotics – macrolides, fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines. But the disease quite often reappears.
What are the complications?
Complications are rare in healthy people, but it is possible for the infection to affect other parts of the genital tract. Some adults, especially those with weakened immune systems, may develop inflammation of the bones, joints, skin rashes, and lung disease.
Mycoplasmas are also associated with infertility in women. Infected newborns, especially premature babies, can develop pneumonia or chronic lung disease. Babies are also at a very high risk of developing meningitis.
Is it preventable?
Many people carry mycoplasma bacteria but do not know they are infected and preventing their spread is difficult. Total abstinence from sex is the only sure way to prevent infection.
