Mycoplasmas in humans: significance of Ureaplasma urealyticum

Abstract

Isolation of mycoplasmas from clinical specimens has resulted in compelling evidence that in addition to M. pneumoniae, the documented pathogen, the T strain mycoplasmas are not always benign commensals colonizing the mucous membranes of the genitourinary tract of men and women, but may be actively involved in infection with sequelae expressed as nongonococcal urethritis and some form of reproductive wastage such as infertility, spontaneous abortion and premature births.