Characterization of Ureaplasma/Mycoplasma in respiratory samples from newborns

Abstract

Introduction: The presence of genital mycoplasmas in the respiratory tract of the newborns has been associated with significant perinatal morbidities and mortality. Objective: Relating clinical-epidemiological variables to Ureaplasma/Mycoplasma, determine frequency of isolated and the coinfection in positive respiratory samples from newborns. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study of a series of cases in 98 hospitalized newborns. 94 pharyngeal swabs and 4 bronchial secretions were microbiologically analyzed by Multiplex-PCR for the identification of Ureaplasma/Mycoplasma species and other clinical variables were obtained such as history of preterm birth, low weight, premature rupture of membranes of 18 hours or more, with connatal bronchopneumonia or without antimicrobial treatment. As a summary measure, absolute and relative frequencies and a test of independence based on the ji square distribution were used. Results: Of the 4 newborns with connatal bronchopneumonia, 50 % were positive for Mycoplasma genitalium and Mycoplasma hominis interchangeably. Likewise, 19.54 % of the newborn underweight and the 13.79 % of the preterm they had these bacteria's presence. There was no statistical significance between the clinical variables and these results. 7 isolates of Ureaplasma urealitycum and Mycoplasma hominis, 4 of Ureaplasma parvum and 3 of Mycoplasma genitalium were identified. Coinfection with other bacteria was obtained in 8 clinical samples. Conclusions: There was no relationship between clinical-epidemiological variables and genital mycoplasma. Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma species were identified in respiratory samples from hospitalized newborns, as well as coinfection between several microorganisms.

Keywords

• coinfección
• recién nacidos
• tracto respiratorio.