Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

VaginalUreaplasma urealyticum colonization: Influence on pregnancy outcome and neonatal morbidity

  • Originalia
  • Published:
Infection Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The effects ofUreaplasma urealyticum colonization on pregnancy and neonatal outcome was prospectively studied in women with impending term or preterm delivery. One hundred and seventy women colonized withU. urealyticum as the only pathogenic microorganism and 83 women with negative cultures were enrolled for study. Compared to the controls,U. urealyticum colonization was associated with a significantly increased rate of amnionitis (2% vs 35%; p<0.001), chorioamnionitis (0% vs 10%; p<0.05), premature rupture of membranes (12% vs 35%; p<0.001) and preterm delivery (10% vs 41%; p<0.001). The rate of vertical transmission ranged from 38% in term infants to 95% in very low birth weight infants.U. urealyticum colonization at birth was associated with an increased risk for the development of respiratory distress syndrome (9% vs 51%), intraventricular hemorrhage (1% vs 7%) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (4% vs 17%) in very low birth weight infants (<1500 g). It is concluded that maternalU. urealyticum colonization is associated with amnionitis, chorioamnionitis and preterm delivery, and that tracheal colonization withU. urealyticum increases the risk for respiratory and neurological complications in very low birth weight infants.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Cassell, G. H., Waites, K. B., Taylor-Robinson, D. Genital mycoplasmas. In:Morse, S. A., Moreland, A. A., Thompson, S. E. (eds.): Atlas of sexually transmitted diseases. Lippincott, Philadelphia, Gower, New York, London 1990, pp. 7.2–7.15.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Hillier, S. L., Martius, J., Krohn, M., Kiviat, M., Holmes, K. K., Eschenbach, D. A. A case-control study of chorioamniotic infection and histologic chorioamnionitis in prematurity. N. Engl. J. Med. 19 (1988) 972–978.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Lamont, R. F., Taylor-Robinson, D., Wigglesworth, J. S., Furr, P. M., Evans, R. T., Elder, M. G. The role of mycoplasmas, ureaplasmas and chlamydiae in the genital tract of women presenting in spontaneous early preterm labour. J. Med. Microbiol. 24 (1987) 253–257.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Sanchez, P. J., Regan, J. A. Vertical transmission ofUreaplasma urealyticum from mothers to preterm infants. Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. 9 (1990) 398–401.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Sanchez, P. J., Regan, J. A. Vertical transmission ofUreaplasma urealyticum in full term infants. Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. 6 (1987) 825–828.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Brus, F., van Waarde, W. M., Schoots, C., Bambang Oetomo, S. Fatal ureaplasmal pneumonia and sepsis in a newborn infant. Eur. J. Pediatr. 150 (1991) 782–783.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Waites, K. B., Crouse, D. T., Phillips, J. B. III, Canupp, K. C., Cassell, G. H. Ureaplasma pneumonia and sepsis associated with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Pediatrics 83 (1989) 79–85.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Waites, K. B., Rudd, P. T., Crouse, D. T., Canupp, K. C., Nelson, K. G., Ramsey, C. ChronicUreaplasma urealyticum andMycoplasma hominis infections of central nervous system in preterm infants. Lancet i (1988) 17–21.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Cassell, G. H., Waites, K. B., Crouse, D. T., Rudd, P. T., Canupp, K. C., Stagno, S., Cutter, G. R. Association ofUreaplasma urealyticum infection of the lower respiratory tract with chronic lung disease and death in very low birth weight infants. Lancet ii (1988) 240–245.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Wang, E. E. L., Ohlsson, A., Kellner, J. D. Association ofUreaplasma urealyticum colonization with chronic lung disease of prematurity: results of a metaanalysis. J. Paediatr. 127 (1995) 640–644.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Abele-Horn, M., Hentschel, J. Ureaplasma urealyticum bei Neuund Frühgeborenen: Assoziation mit der bronchopulmonalen Pneumonie. Dtsch. med. Wochenschr. 117 (1992) 408–414.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie Isolierung und Identifizierung von Mycoplasmen und Chlamydien. Zentralbl. Bakt. Hyg. A 270 (1989) 470–486.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Ballard, J. L., Novak, K. K., Doriver, M. A simplified score for assessment of fetal maturation of newly born infants. J. Pediatr. 95 (1979) 769–774.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Northway, W. H., Rosan, R. C., Porter, D. Y. Pulmonary disease following respiratory therapy of hyaline membrane disease: bronchopulmonary dysplasia. N. Engl. J. Med. 276 (1967) 357–368.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Kundsin, R. B., Driscoll, S. G., Monson, R. R., Yeh, C., Biano, S. A., Cochran, W. Y. Association ofUreaplasma urealyticum in the placenta with perinatal morbidity and mortality. N. Engl. J. Med. 310 (1984) 941–945.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Embree, J. E., Krause, V. W., Embil, J. A., MacDonald, S. Placental infection withMycoplasma hominis undUreaplasma urealyticum: clinical correlation. Obstet. Gynecol. 56 (1980) 475–481.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Foulon, W., Naessens, A., Dewaele, M., Lauwers, S., Amy, J. J. ChronicUreaplasma urealyticum amnionitis associated withabruptio placentae. Obstet. Gynecol. 68 (1986) 280–282.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Cassell, G. H., Waites, K. B., Watson, H. L., Crouse, D. T., Harasawa, R. Ureaplasma urealyticum intrauterine infection: role in prematurity and disease in newborns. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 6 (1993) 69–87.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Naessens, A., Foulon, W., Cammu, H., Goosens, A., Lauwers, S. Epidemiology and pathogenesis ofUreaplasma urealyticum in spontaneous abortion and early preterm labor. Acta Obstet. Gynecol. Scand. 66 (1987) 513–516.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Ollikainen, J., Hiekkaniemi, H., Korppi, M., Sarkkinen, H., Heinonen, K. Ureaplasma urealyticum infection associated with acute respiratory insufficiency and death in premature infants. J. Pediatr. 122 (1993) 756–760.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Cassell, G. H., Davis, R. O., Waites, K. B., Brown, M. B., Marriott, P. A., Stagno, S., Davis, Y. K. Isolation ofMycoplasma hominis andUreaplasma urealyticum from amniotic fluid at 16–20 weeks of gestation: potential effect on outcome of pregnancy. Sex. Transm. Dis. 10 (Suppl. 4) (1983) 294–302.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Taylor-Robinson, D. Evaluation of the role ofUreaplasma urealyticum in infertility. Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. 5 (1986) S262-S265.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Eschenbach, A. D., for the Vaginal Infections and Prematurity Study Group A randomized placebo-controlled trial of erythromycin for the treatment ofUreaplasma urealyticum to prevent premature delivery. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 164 (1991) 734–742.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Hauth, J. C., Goldenberg, R. L., Andrews, W. W., Du Bard, M. B., Copper, R. L. Reduced incidence of preterm delivery with metronidazole and erythromycin in women with bacterial vaginosis. N. Engl. J. Med. 333 (1995) 1732–1736.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Wang, E. L., Frayha, H., Watts, J., Hammerberg, O., Chernesky, M. A., Mahony, J., Cassell, G. H. Role ofUreaplasma urealyticum and other pathogens in the development of chronic lung disease in prematurity. Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. 7 (1988) 547–551.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Romano, N., Romano, F., Carollo, F. T-strains of mycoplasma in bronchopneumonia lungs of an aborted fetus. N. Engl. J. Med. 285 (1971) 950–952.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Taylor-Robinson, D., Furr, P. M., Libermann, M. M. The occurrence of genital mycoplasmas in babies with and without respiratory distress. Acta Paediatr. Scand. 73 (1984) 383–386.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max von Pettenkofer-Institut, Pettenkoferstr. 9a, D-80336, München

    M. Abele-Horn M. D., Ph. D.

  2. Kinderklinik der Technischen Universität, Krankenhaus Schwabing, Kölner Platz 1, D-80804, München

    J. Peters M. D. & W. Gottschling M. D.

  3. Gynäkologische Abteilung, Krankenhaus Schwabing, Kölner Platz 1, D-80804, München

    C. Wolff M. D.

  4. Neonatologie, Klinikum Großhadern, Marchioninistr. 15, D-81377, München

    O. Genzel-Boroviczény M. D.

  5. Neonatologie, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität, Ismaninger Str. 22, D-81675, München, Germany

    A. Zimmermann M. D.

Authors
  1. M. Abele-Horn M. D., Ph. D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Peters M. D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. O. Genzel-Boroviczény M. D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. C. Wolff M. D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A. Zimmermann M. D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. W. Gottschling M. D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Abele-Horn, M., Peters, J., Genzel-Boroviczény, O. et al. VaginalUreaplasma urealyticum colonization: Influence on pregnancy outcome and neonatal morbidity. Infection 25, 286–291 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01720398

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01720398

Keywords

Search

Navigation