Isolation of Mycoplasma pneumoniae from the human urogenital tract

Abstract

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common etiologic agent of lower respiratory tract infections in humans. However, it has been reported previously that the organism has occasionally been isolated from sites other than the oropharynx and respiratory tract. We report the isolation of 24 strains of M. pneumoniae from urogenital specimens obtained from 22 female patients. Most isolates were of cervical origin from patients attending several local gynecological clinics over a 2-year period. Strains were also isolated from the urethra of one of three healthy male sexual partners of female patients positive for the organism. Single serum specimens obtained from three female patients and three different male sexual partners showed antibody levels suggestive of either recent respiratory infection or genital tract colonization with M. pneumoniae. Although there is no apparent definitive explanation for the localized outbreak of the organism at these unusual sites, the possible transfer through sexual and/or orogenital contact remains the most likely mode of transmission. The occurrence of an organism with obvious pathogenicity for human epithelial tissue in the urogenital tract suggests such transfer could play a role in genital tract infection.

Colonization of the respiratory and genital tracts of female mice with Mycoplasma pneumoniae and protection afforded to the genital tract by prior respiratory colonization

“…Certainly, reports of the isolation of M. pneumoniae from the genital tract are rare. It is interesting to speculate that in those instances 38 P. Furr and D. in which this has been noted (Thomas et al 1975;Goulet et al 1995), colonization occurred either at a particular time in the menstrual cycle when progesterone rather than oestradiol was dominant and/or in women who for various reasons were immunosuppressed. Finally, there is evidence that M. genitalium is a cause of urethritis in men (Taylor-Robinson & Furr 1998) and cervicitis (Uno et al 1997) and pelvic inflammatory disease (Taylor-Robinson & Furr 1998) in women.…”

Molecular Biology and Pathogenicity of Mycoplasmas

“…Mycoplasmas usually exhibit organ and tissue specificity. Thus, M. pneumoniae is found preferentially in the respiratory tract and M. genitalium is found primarily in the urogenital tract, but exceptions are possible, since M. genitalium has been isolated from the respiratory tract and M. pneumoniae has been isolated from the genital tract (163). These two mycoplasmas are genetically closely related, and their entire genomes have been sequenced (see "Genome-sequencing projects" below).…”

Novel simple diagnostic methods compared to advanced ones for the diganosis of Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasmas hominis in patients with complicated urinary tract infections

“…Mycoplasma pathogens have been discovered in the urogenital tract of patients suffering from PID, urethritis and other urinary tract diseases (Goulet et al, 1995). M. hominis is frequently recovered from the genitourinary tract.…”