Ureaplasma spp and ureaplasmosis: symptoms and treatment. Mycoplasma and mycoplasmosis Mycoplasma spp

Mycoplasmosis is a code name for the inflammatory process in the genitourinary organs in the case when one (or several) of the pathogens is detected during a laboratory examination: M. hominis, M. genitalium, M. fermentans in the absence of other pathogenic pathogens. L. Dienes and G. Edsall in 1937 for the first time described genital mycoplasmas identified from the abscess of the large gland of the vestibule of the vagina. suggested that mycoplasmas are the causative agents of most non-gonococcal urethritis.
In 1981, in the report of the WHO Scientific Group No. 660 "Nongonococcal urethritis and other selectedly transmitted diseases of public importantce)" M.hominis was assigned to the group of sexually transmitted infections and is recognized as the causative agent of non-gonococcal urethritis in men.
In 1986, the Committee of Experts of the World Health Organization in the Sixth report "Venereal infections and treponematoses (Venereal infections and treponematoses)" introduced M.hominis into the classification of causative agents of sexually transmitted diseases. However, mycoplasmosis was not included in the International Classification of Diseases of the 9th revision and was not included in the subsequent International Classification of Diseases 10th revision of 1998.

M.pneumoniae (causes respiratory mycoplasmosis), M.arthritidis (joint diseases - arthritis) and a group of genital mycoplasmas M.hominis, M.genitalium, M.fermentans and U.urealyticum are considered pathogenic (harmful) for humans, causing damage urinary organs.

Mycoplasma hominis

Able to adsorb on various cells, such as: Neisseria gonorrheae, human and animal cells under in vitro conditions, as well as on human spermatozoa. Currently, 7 serotypes of M.hominis are known.

Mycoplasma genitalium

The cells of this mycoplasma have a terminal, gourd-like organelle. Using this structure, mycoplasma cells bind to erythrocytes and epithelial cells. Using PCR, M. genitalium was found not only in the urogenital tract, but also in throat swabs. M. genitalium is the most famous small bacterium on earth.

Mycoplasma fermentans

It ferments glucose and arginine and has unique biological characteristics. It adsorbs human IgG, resulting in the formation of autoantibodies (anti-IgG) against aggregated immunoglobulin, i.e. rheumatoid factor, which can then attach complement components and IgM. Immune complexes circulate, are fixed in tissues and induce immunopathological reactions.

What is Mycoplasma species (spp).

A note about the determination of Mycoplasma species (sp). In many PCR laboratories in Russia, genus-specific DNA is determined - i.e. a piece of DNA that is characteristic of all human mycoplasmas (both genital and respiratory) and designate it as Mycoplasma sp. Detection of it indicates the presence of one or more types of mycoplasmas in the focus from which the analysis was taken. From a practical point of view, in this case, if the alleged cause of the inflammatory process are mycoplasmas, it is necessary to re-typing, since the sensitivity to antibiotics in mycoplasmas is different, or to conduct a course of therapy with several groups of antibiotics

How can you get infected with mycoplasmas

The main route of infection with genital mycoplasmas is sexual contact, infection is possible through oral-genital contact. The fetus and newborns can become infected with mycoplasmas through an infected placenta and during childbirth when passing through the birth canal. Contact-household infection through household items, medical instruments, underwear is controversial and documented not currently proven. Incubation period averages 2-3 weeks

What diseases are caused by mycoplasmas?

Mycoplasmas cause inflammatory processes in the urogenital tract. But for the onset and development of the disease, certain conditions are necessary in the human body. It has been established that favorable factors for infection with mycoplasmas are bacterial vaginosis in women and chronic prostatitis in men. The role of mycoplasmas in the following pathological conditions has been proven:

Mycoplasmas isolated from small domestic animals include - M. felis And M.gatae- in cats and M.cynos- in dogs. The stability of these microorganisms in the external environment is not great. For humans, they are not dangerous. The likelihood of infection by these microorganisms in humans has not been confirmed by studies.

Mycoplasmas are often part of the permanent flora of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, genital tract and can be opportunistic organisms, causing systemic infection in immunodeficiency, immunosuppression or cancer.

According to foreign literature, the frequency of detection of mycoplasmas on the mucous membranes of healthy cats reaches 70%, mycoplasmas are isolated from cats with conjunctivitis (up to 25% of cases), which was also confirmed by specialists. It is suggested that M.felis may be pathogenic, although M.gatae is a commensal. Mycoplasmas have been implicated in upper respiratory tract infections in some studies, but further study is needed to establish whether they are primary or secondary pathogens. Experimental infection of M. felis via the conjunctiva has been reported to cause disease in young cats, but other studies have not confirmed this. It is likely that these organisms may be primary pathogens in rare cases and may cause conjunctival disease in association with Chlamydophila or herpesvirus or in cats with compromised immune systems. Therefore, it is believed that mycoplasmosis is not the main cause of chronic conjunctivitis.

Mycoplasmas are not usually isolated from the lower respiratory tract of healthy cats. In 25% of cases in cats with chronic disease bronchi was found M.felis. Therefore, in cases of isolation of this microorganism (after the study of bronchial washings during bronchoscopy), antibiotic therapy is indicated. Mycoplasma spp. and Ureaplasma spp. are isolated from both cats with urinary tract infections and clinically healthy ones, so their role in the occurrence of diseases of the genitourinary system, as well as infertility and abortion, is unclear.

Mycoplasmas are often isolated from the lower respiratory tract of healthy dogs. These organisms are thought to cause disease only in small puppies or dogs with lesions of the ciliary apparatus (ciliary dyskinesia).

Mycoplasma infection of the joints can develop as a result of the spread of the microorganism from the foci of active or latent infection on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, conjunctiva or genitourinary tract. Common in debilitated or immunosuppressed animals. In cats, infection with immunodeficiency viruses and leukemia is always taken into account. Mycoplasma spumans infection has been associated with polyarthritis syndrome in young Greyhounds.

Mycoplasmas susceptible to tetracyclines

The human genitourinary system contains a large number of microorganisms. One of them is mycoplasma hominis. Normally, they do no harm. But under the influence of certain factors, they can go into the phase of active reproduction, which leads to the onset of the inflammatory process. Serious health consequences can only be avoided with timely diagnosis and treatment. To do this, you need to remember the main symptoms of the problem.

What is this microorganism?

Experts give an unambiguous definition of what Mycoplasma hominis is. It is a microorganism that does not have a nucleus. Consists of a cytoplasmic membrane, ribosomes and a nucleoid. It has a long life cycle. It can grow both inside human cells and outside them.

Microorganisms resist the effects of antibacterial drugs well. At the same time, they do not tolerate ultraviolet, lack of moisture and elevated temperature. In this regard, they cannot live outside the human body, so their transmission household way impossible.

The vital activity of mycoplasma leads to the development of a disease called mycoplasmosis. This is an inflammatory process that occurs on the walls of the vagina. The pathogenic property of microorganisms is due to the presence of adhesins in them. They contribute to the onset of inflammation, as microorganisms get the opportunity to easily fix on epitheliocytes.

During the life of Mycoplasma hominis, endotoxins are released. They quickly enter the human bloodstream and provoke hemorrhages, pulmonary edema or leukopenia.

Ways of infection?

Mycoplasma hominis is only transmitted sexually. Infection occurs during unprotected sexual contact with the carrier of the infection. There are no known cases of infection in the household.

A newborn can also become infected. This occurs during the passage of the fetus through the birth canal of an infected mother. In some cases, the disease is cured on its own.

From this type of mycoplasmosis, mostly women suffer. The high-risk group includes:

• Ladies leading an overly active sex life.
• Women suffering from trichomoniasis, candidiasis or gonorrhea.
• Pregnant.
• Women who do not follow the rules of intimate hygiene.

Experts identify several factors in which mycoplasmosis develops faster:

• Immunodeficiency.
• Long-term use of antibacterial drugs.
• The use of hormone therapy.
• Prolonged exposure to stress.
• Alcoholism.
• Violation of the hormonal background.
• Dysbacteriosis.
• The presence of infectious diseases that have passed into a chronic form.

Women at risk should periodically undergo a medical examination. This will help to identify mycoplasma at an early stage, when it responds better to treatment.

How does the disease manifest itself?

In most cases, mycoplasmosis is asymptomatic. It can only be detected through laboratory tests.

Allocate the following symptoms diseases that are typical for women:

• Discharge from the genitals, which are quite abundant. They have a pronounced unpleasant odor.
• Burning sensation during intercourse or urination.
• Increased urge to urinate.
• Constant feeling of discomfort in the lower abdomen.

In men, the symptoms of mycoplasma infection are slightly different. There is a burning sensation in the urethra, discharge from the penis. Pain is concentrated in the scrotum, but can migrate to the lower back or rectum. The skin around the opening of the urethra turns red, swelling appears.

Symptoms of the disease are of medium intensity. Periodically, they can disappear, and then intensify again.

Diagnostic methods

After you have found out what mycoplasmosis is, you need to decide on the method of its diagnosis. If you analyze the accompanying symptoms, it is impossible to reliably diagnose, since they are inherent in various diseases.

Therefore, experts use the following methods to diagnose the problem:

• Bacteriological culture. A swab from the patient's genitals, urine or a secret separated by the prostate is used as the test material. It is placed in a nutrient medium. After some time, Mycoplasma hominis begins to multiply actively. After that, it is easily detected under a microscope.
• PCR (polymerase chain reaction). This method allows you to detect mycoplasma hominis DNA in the test sample. If DNA is present, the result is considered positive. In this case, the analysis is marked with the semi-colon sign. This means that the estimate of the amount of antibodies is approximate. It is impossible to accurately determine this indicator after the polymerase chain reaction. If no mycoplasma DNA is found, the result is negative.
• Linked immunosorbent assay. IgM and IgG antibodies are determined in the patient's blood. If both indicators are assigned a “-” sign, then the result is considered negative. When IgM (-) is detected and at the same time IgG (+), this indicates that immunity to the disease has already been formed. Urgent treatment is necessary for the patient if IgM (+) and IgG (+) are detected in the sample.
• Immunofluorescence reaction. The sample taken from the patient is processed with specialized serum. After that, the study is carried out in ultraviolet light. If Mycoplasma hominis is present, it begins to fluoresce.

Read also related

What is mycoplasmosis hominis in women and how to treat it

Detection of mycoplasma DNA in help PCR has an 80% chance of identifying the disease. But at the same time, it is impossible to assess the severity of the disease. A specialist chooses a specific method for determining the pathogen.

Therapeutic methods

If a patient has a disease caused by the vital activity of Mycoplasma hominis, drug treatment is prescribed. Only with the help medicines manages to destroy the pathogenic microflora. The following medicines are used:

• Antibiotics. Since microorganisms are resistant to the effects of drugs, in some cases it is advisable to use several drugs at once. Before this, a laboratory test is carried out, during which it is possible to identify the most powerful antibiotic. Most often, doctors prescribe Doxycycline, Clarithromycin, Ciprofloxacin, Cifran. The use of suppositories is also shown. During therapy with such drugs, it is important to strictly adhere to the recommended dosage. Exceeding it can lead to a negative reaction of the body.
• Antispasmodics. They are used in cases where mycoplasmosis is accompanied by strong painful sensations. The safest of them are No-shpa and Drotaverin.
• Antiseptics. Specialized antiseptic suppositories are used, which include chlorhexidine. One of the most effective drugs is Hexicon.
• Antifungal drugs. They are used to prevent the development of candidiasis. Doctors advise using Clotrimazole, Livarol, Pimafucin or Nystatin.
• Probiotics. The beneficial microflora of the vagina suffers greatly from the use of antibacterial drugs. In order to restore it, probiotics are used. The most effective of them are Laktonorm, Vagilak or Vaginorm.
• Immunostimulants. Mycoplasma hominis negatively affects the body's immune system. To restore it, you can use Imunorix, Immunal or Interferon. For the same purpose, experts recommend taking vitamin-mineral complexes, for example, Centrum or Complivit.

As soon as the first symptoms of the disease appear, you should immediately seek help from a specialist. Self-treatment of Mycoplasma hominis can lead to the development of serious complications. You still won’t be able to cure the disease, and valuable time will be lost.

Specific drugs and their dosage is chosen by the doctor, based on the nature of the disease and the characteristics of the patient's body.

Folk methods of treatment

Alternative medicine can only be used in parallel with conservative treatment. Deal with the pathogen folk recipes impossible, but they will be an excellent addition to the main therapy.

Among the most effective means are:

• Mix 10 grams of birch leaves, sand cumin flowers and knotweed grass. In the resulting mixture, add 12 grams of plantain and the same amount of bearberry. Pour the prepared collection with a liter of water. Leave for at least 10 hours. After that, put on fire and boil for 10 minutes. This infusion is taken in half a glass 4 times a day. Do it better after eating.
• Blue cornflower flowers will help to cope with the disease. To prepare an infusion of them, steam 8 tablespoons of raw materials with 800 ml of boiling water. After an hour, the product can be filtered. Take it in a glass 4 times a day.
• Mix 5 grams of winter love with the same amount of wintergreen. Soak the resulting collection in three cups of boiling water. After 50 minutes, the product is filtered. It must be drunk five times a day in the amount of half a glass. The total duration of treatment is three to four weeks. Such a medicine effectively fights the inflammatory process.
• Stir in two tablespoons of ortilia and oak bark. Pour in 300 ml of boiling water. After 45 minutes, filter the infusion well. It must be used for douching the genitals. This procedure should be carried out twice a day.
• Steam two tablespoons of dried violet flowers in half a liter of boiling water. Keep in this state for about an hour. After that, filter and drink three times a day in the amount of a tablespoon.
• Prepare a collection of meadowsweet and St. John's wort, taken in a ratio of 2:1. Pour four tablespoons of the resulting mixture with two glasses of water and boil for about 10 minutes. Leave to infuse for two hours. Such a remedy should be drunk in a glass three times a day.
• In equal proportions, combine cornflower, corn stigmas, knotweed, chamomile and St. John's wort. A spoonful of this mixture is steamed with 300 ml of boiling water and kept for an hour. This infusion is taken in half a glass three times a day.

Folk recipes have contraindications. Before using them, you should consult with your doctor.

Proper nutrition

Treatment of mycoplasmosis will be effective only if a special diet is observed. From the use of antibiotic therapy, the body weakens, so the extra load from digestive system may aggravate the situation.

Mycoplasmas are the smallest (100-300 nm in diameter) bacteria that often live on plants and in animals and humans.

Many biological properties of mycoplasmas, including resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and pronounced polymorphism, are due to their lack of a cell wall.

Mycoplasmas usually colonize mucous membranes; in many animal species they cause chronic inflammation of the respiratory and urinary tracts, genital organs, and joints.

There are 14 types of mycoplasmas in the human body, but they occur with different frequencies. Mucoplasma orale and Mycoplasma salivarium are part of the normal microflora of the oral cavity. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common causative agent of pneumonia in adults and children. Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis are found in the urinary tract and genitals of many healthy people; These are opportunistic pathogens that cause a number of infections in adults and newborns.

As possible causative agents of infections in humans, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma fermentans and Mycoplasma penetrans, found on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, urinary tract and genital organs, deserve attention. These bacteria have only recently been described, and what their true ecological profile is is unknown. They are more demanding than other types of mycoplasmas to the conditions of cultivation.

A necessary prerequisite for the seeding of the mucosa and the development of infection is the adhesion of mycoplasmas to the cells of the macroorganism.

The adhesion of Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a complex, multi-step process involving a number of proteins. After attachment of the bacterium to the mucosa, the activity of the cilia of the ciliated epithelium is suppressed.

In Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis, adhesion factors have not been studied.

Intracellular localization protects mycoplasmas from antibodies and antibiotics, contributes to the chronic course of infections and makes it difficult to grow the pathogen on artificial media.

The virulence factors of Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis are unknown.

The long-term survival of mycoplasmas on mucous membranes seems to be associated with their inherent high variability of surface antigens.

Mycoplasma hominis is distinguished by its ability to metabolize arginine with the formation of ammonia in an amount that has a cytotoxic effect. Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma hominis produce hydrogen peroxide, which may also play a role in cell damage.

Ureaplasmas, unlike other genera of the class Mollicutes, form urease. Like other prokaryotes that have urease activity, Ureaplasma urealyticum causes the formation of urinary stones. One of the virulence factors of ureaplasmas is their protease, which destroys IgA (but not IgA2). Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma hominis do not have this enzyme.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae, like many other types of mycoplasmas, non-specifically activates B-lymphocytes and, to a lesser extent, T-lymphocytes. When infected with it, antibodies to the antigens of the brain, heart, muscles, erythrocyte antigen I, intermediate filaments, and division spindle sometimes appear. Mycoplasma pneumonia is accompanied by the appearance of cold antibodies - autoantibodies of the IgM class, causing erythrocyte agglutination at temperatures below 37*C. Because of this, the disease is often complicated by hemolysis and anemia. The receptor of Mycoplasma pneumoniae on the surface of macroorganism cells are long-chain sialooligosaccharides containing antigen I in their structure. The ciliated epithelium of the bronchi abounds in these carbohydrates (where, in fact, the infection is localized), as well as erythrocytes. It is believed that lipid-rich mycoplasmas act as an adjuvant, increasing the immunogenicity of sialooligosaccharides and triggering the formation of anti-1 antibodies. Other immunological aspects of the pathogenesis of mycoplasmal pneumonia have not been studied.

L-shaped bacteria and Mycoplasma are forms of microorganisms that lack a cell wall. L-group microorganisms commonly invade wounds and surgical incisions, often leading to dermal abscesses, cellulitis, and polyarthritis. Mycoplasma usually causes secondary respiratory infections. In these cases, conventional antibiotics, including

Mycoplasma hominis (mycoplasma hominis, hominis) is the causative agent of urogenital mycoplasmosis, which poses a real threat to the health of women, men and children. Mycoplasma hominis enters the human body through the mucous membranes of the genital organs through contact with a sick partner or a carrier.

In the absence of timely and adequate treatment, mycoplasma infection can cause infertility in women due to inflammation of the genital organs, and in men as a result of impaired spermatogenesis and damage to spermatozoa. It is essential to treat urogenital mycoplasmosis.

Mycoplasma hominis - the cause of inflammation of the genital organs, adhesions of the fallopian tubes, ectopic pregnancy, infertility. In pregnant women, mycoplasma can lead to miscarriages or premature births, uterine bleeding, and the development of fetal abnormalities. This is due to inflammation of the membranes, their rupture and outpouring of amniotic fluid. If an infant is infected during childbirth, it develops mycoplasmal pneumonia or meningitis.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of urogenital mycoplasmosis consists in carrying out laboratory methods studies preceded by the collection of an anamnesis of life and illness, an external examination of the patient. Microbiological and serological studies can confirm or refute the alleged diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment of urogenital mycoplasmosis is the use of antibiotics. The choice of drug is determined by the results of the analysis for the sensitivity of mycoplasmas. Some mycoplasmas are not detected in the smear and do not grow on nutrient media. In this case, the doctor selects an antibiotic based on the history. In addition to etiotropic therapy, patients are prescribed immunomodulators.

It is necessary to treat the disease simultaneously for both sexual partners. Otherwise, re-infection will occur, and the therapy will be useless. One month after stopping treatment, antibody testing should be repeated.

Prevention

Preventive measures to avoid urogenital mycoplasmosis:

• Using condoms during intercourse
• Balanced diet,
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
• Identification and sanitation of existing foci of infection in the body,
• Strengthening immunity,
• Compliance with sanitary standards and rules of personal hygiene.

Mycoplasmosis often leads to severe consequences and dangerous complications. You can not self-medicate, you should consult a specialist. The disease can complicate not only intimate life but also bearing a child. If characteristic symptoms occur, it is necessary to visit a gynecologist, undergo an examination and a course of prescribed therapy.

Video: doctor about mycoplasma, how dangerous is mycoplasmosis

Video: mycoplasma in the program “Live healthy!”