Retrospective Analysis of the Ureaplasma spp. Prevalence with Reference to Other Genital Tract Infections in Women of Reproductive Age

Abstract

Ureaplasma spp. are frequently isolated from the genital tract of women of reproductive age. To date, it remains unclear whether they are commensal or pathogenic. In our study, we assessed the prevalence of Ureaplasma spp. in a group of 1,155 women of childbearing age. In addition, we assessed how often women with positive Ureaplasma spp. develop genital tract co-infections and how the vaginal pH changes. This study showed a relationship between colonization by Ureaplasma spp. and presenting symptoms. In fact, we showed that colonization of the genital tract by Ureaplasma spp. can affect the occurrence of co-infections such as Gardnerella vaginalis. We also observed a relationship between increased pH values and the presence of Ureaplasma spp.

Keywords

• female genital tract microbiota
• ureaplasma spp.
• bacterial vaginosis
• vaginal infections