How is a test for ureaplasma carried out in women? Normal amount of ureaplasma in a smear in women. Will a general urine test show ureaplasma?

It is taken to confirm the diagnosis of ureaplasmosis. To prescribe the correct treatment, it is important to determine the type of microorganism, its quantity and location in various parts of the genitourinary system.

Types of pathogen and clinical manifestations

The causative agents of ureaplasmosis are a genus of bacteria of the Mycoplasma family. Normally, they populate the mucous membranes of the genitourinary system in 60% of healthy men and women. Mycoplasmas are an intermediate link between bacteria and viruses and exhibit tropism for epithelial cells of the urinary tract.

Therefore, one of the methods for making a diagnosis is to examine a scraping from the surface of the mucous membrane of the vagina and urethra to detect the pathogen in epithelial cells and leukocytes - markers of inflammation.

Ureaplasmas differ from other mycoplasmas in their ability to break down urea into ammonia using the enzyme urease, synthesized by the cytoplasm of the microorganism.

In 2015, 7 species were assigned to the genus. Clinically important for the laboratory are:

ureaplasma urealyticum (10 serotypes);
ureaplasma parvum (4 serotypes).

Until 1954, both of these species belonged to the same species - ureaplasma urealyticum; in 2002, a separate species was identified - ureaplasma parvum.

Until recently, ureaplasmosis was not considered a disease and was not included in the International Classification of Diseases. Currently, this disease is considered one of the sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, the role of the pathogen in miscarriage and premature birth is being studied.

For a long time, ureaplasma can persist on the surface of the mucous membranes; a decrease in local and general immunity contributes to the pathological reproduction of the pathogen. Pathological reproduction of ureaplasma parvum and ureaplasma urealyticum can provoke the development of myometritis, endometritis, urethritis, pyelonephritis, salpingitis, oophoritis or accompany these diseases caused by other pathogens.

In men, these microorganisms can cause urethritis, epididymitis and other diseases of the genitourinary organs. Most often, ureaplasmosis accompanies gonorrhea and chlamydia.

infertility;
pyelonephritis;
arthritis;
pregnancy disorders;
infection of the fetus in the womb and during the passage of the birth canal.

The clinical symptoms of ureaplasmosis are very similar to the clinical manifestations of all STDs: the patient experiences itching, burning, pain when urinating and in the genital area. The disease may be accompanied by vaginal discharge. If there is a clinical picture, the doctor prescribes tests for ureaplasmosis for the patient. Smear microscopy, ELISA and culture are used to determine the degree of infection and the main pathogen: ureaplasma urealyticum or parvum.

Stages of smear examination

A flora smear is a study under a microscope of cells taken by scraping from the walls of the vagina in women or prostate secretion in men. This express method is used for severe clinical manifestations of the inflammatory process, spontaneous miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. When planning pregnancy or treating infertility, a smear is taken from both men and women.

Ureaplasma parvum is often found in a smear in reactive arthritis. A control study is carried out 3–4 weeks after the end of the course of antibiotic therapy.

In order for the analysis results to be as accurate as possible, it is necessary to prepare in advance for the selection of material. This is especially important for women:

In men, prostate secretions are taken for microscopy to test for ureaplasmosis. To do this, a probe is inserted into the urethra to a depth of 3 cm. The procedure is accompanied by pain and discomfort, which disappear within a short time.

In women, for a smear for ureaplasmosis, a scraping is taken from the walls of the vagina, urethra, and cervix. To do this, use a disposable spatula; the material is collected in a gynecological chair. The procedure is usually painless. Discomfort and pain usually indicate an inflammatory process.

The resulting material is applied to glass, stained and examined under a microscope. Preparation of a smear for reading the results is carried out within 1 working day. The interpretation of the analysis in this case consists of counting the number of leukocytes, erythrocytes and studying the composition of the flora, including lactobacilli, ureaplasma, mycoplasma, trichomonas, gonococci, chlamydia, and candida.

If ureaplasma is detected in a smear, this is not yet a basis for making a diagnosis. The number of microbial bodies matters. The norm of ureaplasma in the test material is 103 CFU. A positive result for ureaplasmosis is recorded if the number of microbial bodies exceeds 105 CFU. It is worth considering that without clinical manifestations and changes in the level of leukocytes in the test sample, the diagnosis is not considered confirmed.

What should be the normal indicators?

The norm for leukocytes varies depending on the location of the sample:

For the urethra, the norm is from 0 to 5 cells in the field of view.
For the vagina, the normal number is from 0 to 10, and during pregnancy - from 0 to 20 cells.
For the cervix - from 0 to 30 leukocytes in the field of view.

Exceeding these indicators and the presence of red blood cells in the smear indicate an inflammatory process.

It is impossible to determine whether ureaplasma parvum or ureaplasma urealyticum is the causative agent of the disease using simple smear microscopy. To differentiate species, more accurate studies are needed: ELISA or PCR, for which a smear or scraping from the vaginal mucosa is also used. For the patient, it does not make much difference which ureaplasma - parvum or urealiticum - caused the disease. In any case, the doctor prescribes antibiotic therapy for all types of ureaplasma, and sometimes for pathogens of concomitant diseases.

When an analysis for ureaplasma is carried out in women, interpretation of the results often reveals concomitant diseases: gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, candidiasis, as well as the amount of normal microflora.

Often, ureaplasma may not manifest its presence in the body for a long time, and the carrier will not even know about the infection.

However, symptoms may appear that are very similar to those of an STD: pain, itching and burning in the urethra and genitals, and discharge with or without a characteristic odor is possible.

For such complaints, the doctor may prescribe the patient one of the tests for ureaplasmosis: PCR, ELISA, bacteriological culture.

These methods differ not only in their approach to studying biomaterials, but also in the speed of obtaining results and the level of accuracy.

Interesting fact: About 20% of newborns are infected with ureaplasma infection. But often children who become infected with ureaplasmosis during the passage of the mother’s birth canal are cured of this disease without the help of a doctor - the infection simply goes away on its own with proper care for the child.

By three months, ureaplasmosis is detected in only 5% of children. It is easier for newborn boys than for girls; in the latter, in 30% of cases the disease still has to be treated.

How to take material for analysis

When taking a scraping from the urethra, a man will have to refrain from going to the toilet two hours before the examination.

For women, scraping is not done (nor is a smear taken) during menstruation; the middle of the cycle is preferable. Both sexes should avoid sexual intercourse for two to three days before the test.

There are additional rules for ladies. A few days before taking a smear test for ureaplasmosis, you should not use local contraceptives (suppositories, ointments, vaginal tablets), douche, or wash yourself with hot water.

More details about the procedure:

Bacteriological smear

A bacteriological smear for ureaplasma is the very first one that a specialist can prescribe to a patient during a preventive examination.

Interpretation of the analysis may allow for the presence, in addition to lactobacilli, which are considered beneficial bacteria, a slight presence of streptococci, staphylococci, fungi and ureaplasmas. These indicators are completely normal and do not require any special treatment measures.

If a woman has changes in the composition of the vaginal microflora, then this may already indicate the presence of various types of diseases, the transmission of which is sexually transmitted. And this in itself is a reason to conduct additional tests for ureaplasma.

Important! If during examination the doctor suspects ureaplasmosis, he will prescribe additional tests. A procedure such as a regular smear can provide only indirect information about the appearance of ureaplasma.

A standard bacteriological smear involves collecting material from three places:

From the uterine cervical canal;
From the urethra;
From the walls of the vagina.

To carry out this procedure, special speculums are inserted into the vagina. There is no pain during the smear; only discomfort is possible when a cold metal object penetrates.

To reduce discomfort during the procedure, experts recommend their patients to breathe deeply and evenly, while the perineal muscles should not be tense.

PCR is one of the most accurate tests

We are talking about the polymerase chain reaction technique, which is very informative for determining the presence of ureaplasma in the body.

The reliability of this method is explained by the fact that during its implementation it is possible to detect microorganisms, even if their number is very small, since during the research the DNA of ureaplasma itself is determined.

The standard test for ureaplasma is negative results. The presence of symptoms of infectious processes affecting the genitourinary system and a negative PCR result indicate that these pathogenic bacteria are not causative agents of the inflammatory process.

In the research material, laboratory assistants look for genes that are characteristic of the causative agent of this disease. If such genes are present, then this is a sign of infection. The study using the polymerase chain reaction method for the presence of ureaplasma in the human body has the highest accuracy - within 95 percent and above.

Immunofluorescence analysis

The procedure is abbreviated as ELISA, and it is one of the main methods for studying ureaplasmosis. During the analysis, venous blood is collected.

This procedure can be carried out at different times of the day, but morning sampling is preferable.

The blood is tested for the presence of antibodies. Detection of deviations is carried out using immunoglobulin DNA. This analysis is the most accessible and one of the most accurate methods for detecting ureaplasma.

Determination of ureaplasmosis by culture inoculation

The microflora that the specialist collected during the procedure is placed in a specially prepared nutrient medium in which it is kept for three days. Only after this is a culture study carried out, which is aimed at studying the microorganisms that have developed during these days.

DNA detected: what does it mean?

When the test response comes from the laboratory, all that remains is to find out from the doctor what “ureaplasma has been detected” means.

It should be noted that PCR has a specificity of one hundred percent (it is ureaplasma DNA that is determined, and not the genome of microbes similar to it) and a sensitivity of 100 copies of DNA.

If the PCR analysis form says “detected,” this means that DNA fragments were detected in the material being tested.

Which are specific for Ureaplasma parvum, spices or urealitium in a concentration of more than 10 to 4 copies in the sample or below this threshold.

Detection of the ureaplasma genome means that the patient is infected and requires consultation with a venereologist to select therapy.

If the analysis form contains a note that ureaplasma DNA was not detected, this means that there is no DNA in the material being tested.

Which are typical for these types of microbes or their concentration is so low that the test is not sensitive to it.

After the patient has been tested for ureaplasma, the doctor determines the presence of the disease based on normal values.

It is worth remembering that the presence of ureaplasma or other foreign microorganisms in the body does not mean that a person is sick and needs treatment.

You should not try to diagnose your infection yourself.

If ELISA was chosen as the research method, then the titer (the amount of antibodies in the sample) will be indicated on the form and, ideally, the word “normal” should appear next to it.

The PCR result is a little easier to understand: the amount of ureaplasma RNA in the sample should not exceed 10^4 CFU per 1 ml; if the titer is higher, this indicates the presence of pathological activity of microorganisms.

This indicates the presence of 10,000 microbes in one milliliter of biological material. The same figure is considered the norm for the result of the cultural method of analysis (seeding).

The presence of bacteria in this volume is considered a normal result, provided that there is no inflammation or other symptoms.

In this case, the person is a carrier of ureaplasma urealyticum or parvum infection. If, when deciphering the results of the study, the doctor discovers that the value of microorganisms urealiticum or parvum exceeds the norm, then this indicates the progression of the inflammatory process and requires a course of treatment.

Often doctors prescribe a repeat test, since it is possible that the results were incorrect. This can happen due to human factor (laboratory technician error), or lack of preparation on the part of the patient. Also, re-testing is required in the following cases:

with progression of inflammatory processes;

for monitoring purposes after a course of therapy;

Culture rate for ureaplasma

Infections of the genitourinary system cause inconvenience and problems for patients. Modern diagnostic methods make it possible to detect infection at the earliest stages of development. A common and informative way to detect urogenital infections is to culture for ureaplasma. Analysis for ureaplasma allows you to determine infection in both women and men. The results of bacterial culture have a high diagnostic value in the field of urology and gynecology, as they provide the opportunity to accurately determine infections in the genitourinary system.

What is ureaplasma

Ureaplasma (ureaplasma parvum (parvum), urealiticum (urealiticum), spp) are opportunistic microorganisms that live on the mucous membranes of the reproductive system. Microorganisms provoke the development of certain diseases, but can also be detected in a healthy person. Infections transmitted through sexual contact are widespread and ureaplasma is no exception. Most often, ureaplasma, present in the human body, has no manifestations. If the pathology progresses, then the symptoms are expressed as follows:

inflammatory reactions of the uterus and appendages;

cystitis;

the appearance of blood in the urine;

cloudy color in urine;

spontaneous termination of pregnancy;

premature onset of labor;

urethritis in males.

To identify the microorganisms ureaplasma urealyticum, parvum and spp in the body, culture for ureaplasma and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) are performed. People who are sexually active are most susceptible to infection through the genitals. Half of the female sex is carriers of ureaplasma urealyticum, parvum, spp; among men this phenomenon is less common. Infection through household contact is unlikely. If after testing for ureaplasma positive results are obtained, then a diagnosis of ureaplasmosis is made. Ureaplasmosis is one of the infectious diseases of the genitourinary system.

As a rule, with ureaplasmosis, ureaplasma microorganisms are not detected in the urine. A urine test is ordered to look for other bacteria present in the urine that may present with similar symptoms. If the obtained study is normal, then the doctor immediately excludes a large number of other infectious diseases. Many diseases of the genitourinary system are accompanied by the appearance of blood and cloudiness in the urine, for example, glomerulonephritis, urethritis, urolithiasis and others. These diseases are characterized by deviations from the norm in other indicators determined in the urine.

What is culture for ureaplasma?

A tank is inoculated for ureaplasma, sometimes called a cultural study - this is an analysis in which the material being studied is taken and then placed in a special nutrient medium. During the analysis, laboratory assistants calculate the quantitative value of ureaplasma and mycoplasma per 1 ml of the test material. Culture for ureaplasma also involves determining the sensitivity of microorganisms to antibiotics (AS). You need to get tested for ureaplasma if:

inflammatory reaction in the genitourinary system;

unprotected sexual intercourse;

irregularity of sexual partners;

suspected ectopic pregnancy;

preventive examination;

planning pregnancy.

Taking a test for ureaplasma is not difficult and does not require special complex preparation. The sample material is collected by scraping the mucous membranes of the urinary and reproductive organs. Before testing for ureaplasma, at least 4 hours must pass after the last emptying of the bladder and 24 hours after sexual intercourse. Tests for ureaplasma in men are taken from the urethra. The ejaculate is also studied during the research process. An analysis for ureaplasmosis in women is done between menstruation; a scraping is taken from the surface of the vaginal mucosa.

Norm and interpretation of analysis results

When analyzing for ureaplasma urealyticum, parvum (spp), the norm is considered to be a quantitative value of microorganisms of up to 10 4 CFU per 1 ml of the test material. The presence of bacteria in such a volume is considered a normal result and means that there is no inflammation, but the person is a carrier of ureaplasma urealyticum or parvum infection. If, when deciphering the results of the study, the doctor discovers that the value of microorganisms urealiticum or parvum exceeds the norm, then this indicates the progression of the inflammatory process and requires a course of treatment.

The effectiveness of treatment is increased by testing for sensitivity to certain antibiotics, which is designated by the abbreviation ACh. For this purpose, a special set of AC reagents in various configurations is used. During the study, AN determines the sensitivity of the bacteria ureaplasma urealyticum to 12 or more antibiotics. After receiving the test results, the doctor has a complete picture of the condition of the microorganisms and what treatment will be effective.

with incorrect and ineffective treatment;
with the development of a concomitant sexually transmitted infection.

If, according to the results of the study, the quantitative value of microorganisms is within the normal range, then treatment is prescribed according to the patient’s personal request. If surgical treatment or pregnancy is planned, then therapy is mandatory; this will require a mandatory antibiotic sensitivity test (AS). There are also additional methods for studying ureaplasmosis and these include: ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) - allows you to detect antibodies in the blood for ureaplasma; PCR (polysize chain reaction); RNIF and RPIF (indirect and direct immunofluorescence).

Treatment of ureaplasmosis

After receiving a positive result (a quantitative value above the norm) of the test for ureaplasma (urealyticum, parvum), ACh and PCR, all sexual partners of the patient are required to undergo a course of antibiotic treatment. Therapy consists of taking antibacterial drugs for two weeks. Antibiotics are prescribed only after receiving the results of the test for AC. At the same time, it is necessary to undergo a course of treatment with immunomodulators, local therapy (injections of medications into the urethra), physiotherapeutic procedures; if prostatitis develops in men, prostate massage is indicated.

During the course of treatment, the patient is required to avoid sexual intercourse and follow a diet. After completing the course of therapy, the test for ureaplasma (bacteria culture) is repeated. It is also advisable to take a PCR test. A control study is required to study the quantitative significance of microorganisms over time and determine the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment. Repeated culture and PCR tests are carried out for another 3-4 months.

After completing the course of treatment, patients are prescribed vitamins B and C, lactobacterin and hepatoprotectors to improve the normal functioning of the liver.

Treatment of ureaplasmosis is effective only with an integrated approach to it, therefore, along with taking medications, you need to follow a special diet. Your daily diet should include foods high in vitamins (fruits, vegetables, dairy products). It is necessary to exclude fried, spicy, salty foods. Smoked meats and foods high in fat are contraindicated. Drink at least two liters of water throughout the day. With a comprehensive and correct approach to treatment, recovery will come much faster.

Ureaplasmosis is a disease of the genitourinary system that causes discomfort in men and women. If you experience unpleasant sensations in the urinary and reproductive systems (pain, burning, discharge, cloudy urine, etc.), you need to consult a doctor, who, after examination, will prescribe the necessary tests. Usually doctors limit themselves to culture for ureaplasma and AC, PCR, and also prescribe a urine test to determine other bacteria in the urine. A doctor should interpret the results and determine the need for treatment; independent attempts can aggravate the condition.

Tests for the detection of ureaplasma: methods and interpretation of results

There are infections that most people on the planet carry, but they don’t even know it. We are talking, for example, about herpes and hepatitis viruses, ureaplasma. And if quite a lot is known about the first two, then a wide audience knows almost nothing about the latter. Meanwhile, the disease can be transmitted not only through sexual contact, but also through household contact. This, of course, made the diagnosis of “ureaplasmosis” less “shameful” in the eyes of the average person, but no less dangerous.

What is it and what is the threat of pathological activity of this bacterium in human cells? We understand the peculiarities of the influence of the infectious agent on internal organs and find out where and what test to take for ureaplasma.

What is ureaplasma and when should you submit biomaterial for analysis?

Women are more likely to suffer from ureaplasmosis than men, but both can be at risk of infection. Representatives of the fair sex, in addition to the above factor, have increased reproduction Ureaplasma cause bacterial vaginosis, inflammatory processes of the cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries and other diseases of the pelvic organs. In the stronger half of humanity, the risk of developing the disease increases with prostatitis, inflammation of the urethra and/or epididymis, impaired spermatogenesis, etc. The occurrence of ureaplasmosis is most strongly influenced by infection with chlamydia and gonorrhea (in both sexes). Pathology can also be transmitted from mother to fetus.

If ureaplasmosis is not treated, it can become chronic and cause harm to the entire body (lead to inflammation of the joints, pyelonephritis, etc.). One of the most unpleasant consequences of the disease can be infertility. If an infected woman is already carrying a child, then there is a high probability of miscarriage. That is why women planning pregnancy and already pregnant women must be tested for ureaplasma.

About 20% of newborns are infected with ureaplasma infection. But often children who become infected with ureaplasmosis during the passage of the mother’s birth canal are cured of this disease without the help of a doctor - the infection simply goes away on its own with proper care for the child. By three months, ureaplasmosis is detected in only 5% of children. It is easier for newborn boys than for girls; in the latter, in 30% of cases the disease still has to be treated.

Often, ureaplasma may not manifest its presence in the body for a long time, and the carrier will not even know about the infection. However, symptoms may appear that are very similar to those of an STD: pain, itching and burning in the urethra and genitals, and discharge with or without a characteristic odor is possible. For such complaints, the doctor may prescribe the patient one of the tests for ureaplasmosis: PCR, ELISA, bacteriological culture. These methods differ not only in their approach to studying biomaterials, but also in the speed of obtaining results and the level of accuracy.

Depending on the symptoms, the doctor decides which biomaterial to donate (blood, urine, smear, scraping) and what method it will need to be examined. Let us tell you in more detail about the most reliable and frequently prescribed types of biomaterial tests for ureaplasmosis.

Cultural method (bacteriological culture) . This analysis method is used to detect ureaplasma more often than others. Its essence is to place biomaterial (a smear from the cervix or the mucous membrane of the urethra, less often - urine or prostate secretion) in a special nutrient medium. If there are ureaplasmas in the material, they begin to actively multiply, which is recorded by a specialist. Bacterial culture is also used to determine the sensitivity of infectious agents to various types of antibiotics (for prescribing a specific drug). This method has a high level of accuracy, but you will have to wait quite a long time for results - from 4 to 8 days.
PCR . Polymerase chain reaction is one of the most accurate (method sensitivity is about 98%) and fastest tests for ureaplasmosis today. The result of the laboratory test can be obtained within four hours. For analysis, vaginal discharge and urine are usually taken. PCR allows you to find sections of the RNA of the causative agent in the body, even if the microorganisms are contained in the sample in minute quantities. However, the method has its drawbacks: it does not provide (unlike culture) information about the activity of ureaplasmas, and may be false positive (if the sample is contaminated) or false negative (if the person was treated with antibiotics less than a month before the study).
ELISA. Enzyme immunoassay is carried out by placing biomaterial (in this case, blood) on a special strip with antigens of the pathogen. The study does not show the presence of microorganisms themselves, but the presence of antibodies in the sample. For each infection, special immune proteins are produced, so the diagnosis based on the test result can be made with a high degree of accuracy. It usually takes no more than one day to get results. The disadvantage of the study is that the body does not always produce antibodies; there may be failures, and the infection will remain undetected.

There is another type of study - serological analysis, but due to low accuracy it is usually replaced or supplemented by one of the above. All these methods of testing for ureaplasma are considered accurate and reliable. Although the latter indicator strongly depends on the quality of the biomaterial, which is also influenced by the patient’s careful compliance with the rules of preparation for the study.

How to submit biomaterial for analysis

If the patient donates blood, the procedure is performed on an empty stomach, in the morning. Urine for detection of ureaplasma is also collected in the morning (it needs to be in the bladder for at least five to six hours). When taking a scraping from the urethra, a man will have to refrain from going to the toilet two hours before the examination. For women, scraping is not done (nor is a smear taken) during menstruation; the middle of the cycle is preferable. Both sexes should avoid sexual intercourse for two to three days before the test.

To take a smear or scrape, the patient can perform genital hygiene the evening before the test, but not later. You should not use any ointments or gels.

Both women and men need to remember that when taking any test for ureaplasmosis, you cannot take antibacterial and antiviral drugs. If you took such drugs less than a month before the study, you must warn your doctor about this.

Decoding the analysis for ureaplasma: norm and pathology

After the patient has been tested for ureaplasma, the doctor determines the presence of the disease based on normal values. It is worth remembering that the presence of ureaplasma or other foreign microorganisms in the body does not mean that a person is sick and needs treatment. You should not try to diagnose your infection yourself.

If ELISA was chosen as the research method, then the titer (the amount of antibodies in the sample) will be indicated on the form and, ideally, the word “normal” should appear next to it. In different clinics, the specifics of the analysis may differ, therefore the “normal” figure may be different - you need to focus on the word. There are also situations when the result obtained is considered doubtful, then the patient is prescribed another test.

The PCR result is a little easier to understand: the amount of ureaplasma RNA in the sample should not exceed 10 4 CFU per 1 ml; if the titer is higher, this indicates the presence of pathological activity of microorganisms. The same figure is considered the norm for the result of the cultural method of analysis (seeding).

Tests for ureaplasmosis are just one of a large list of preventive tests that a person should undergo at least once a year; there is no need to be ashamed of this. People who are at risk (those with weakened immune systems, often changing sexual partners, or those who have had diseases of the pelvic organs) need to approach the issue especially carefully.

Where can I submit biomaterial for ureaplasma analysis?

You can get tested for ureaplasmosis in almost all private and public clinics. The accuracy of the result depends on the research method practiced in a particular laboratory and on the equipment on which the samples are analyzed.

“With the current variety of clinics, it is difficult for an ordinary person to make a choice; everyone wants to receive quality services at an affordable price. In order not to get lost in the names of medical centers and choose the most optimal option, you need to pay attention to the following points, says an expert from the INVITRO network of independent diagnostic centers. - First, look at the list of services offered. The more test options you see, the better, because it may take more than one study to make an accurate diagnosis. Naturally, it is much better to have all tests done in one clinic.

Secondly, pay attention to how long the clinic has been in existence; the level of quality of the staff’s work indirectly depends on this. Everything is clear here - the longer, the better.

Thirdly, try to choose a medical center closer to home. If the patient is prescribed treatment, he will need to undergo repeated tests after therapy, possibly more than once. Therefore, the convenience of the clinic’s location is an important aspect. To do this, you should choose either a municipal hospital at the place of registration, or a laboratory with a large network of offices, for example, INVITRO.

And finally, the cost of services. When it comes to health, especially in such a sensitive area, there is no need to skimp. Cheap but low-quality medical services can harm the body. So, for example, our prices for tests are at the average market level, but they include a free consultation with a doctor, which is not offered in many other private clinics. We care about the health of every patient and want them to receive the best services for their money.”

What is the norm of ureaplasma in a smear in women?

The most dangerous sexually transmitted disease is ureaplasmosis. The disease may have no symptoms for many years and multiply in the cells of the human body. The causative agent of the disease, uroleaplasma, resides in the cells of the body for a long time, and under unfavorable conditions it can leave them.

What effect does the pathogen have directly on a woman’s body, what methods of diagnosing ureaplasmosis exist, what are the normal levels of antibodies in the blood for ureaplasma - we will consider in this material.

Why is ureaplasmosis dangerous for women?

Ureaplasmas are the causative agents of the infectious disease ureaplasmosis. They are neither bacteria nor viruses. The characteristics of the infection are similar to mycoplasma and chlamydia. But ureaplasmas have some differences:

are classified as gram-positive;
transmitted vertically and sexually;
are pathogenic microorganisms;
penetrate and spread in the genitourinary organs;
do not have DNA or protein shell;
decompose urea.

If the disease persists for a long time, there can be serious consequences. Urethritis is one of the diseases that is caused by the appearance of ureaplasma in the body.

The infection can affect:

It is important to understand that ureaplasmosis develops into other serious diseases, the treatment of which is long and painful: cystitis, colpitis, prostatitis, epididymitis.

Therefore, when an infection is detected, treatment should be taken responsibly.

It is much more difficult to remove ureaplasma that has penetrated deeply than at the initial stage with urethritis.

The peculiarity of ureaplasmosis is that it leads to infertility.According to statistics, 50% of women are infected with ureaplasma.

Having hormonal imbalances and vaginal flora, microorganisms become active in this area at high speed and lead to disease.

There are cases when infection occurs when the baby’s skin comes into contact with the mother’s mucous membrane during childbirth.

Symptoms of the disease

The symptoms of the disease are varied. It may take a month or more from infection to the appearance of the first signs.

Attention: ureaplasmosis can be asymptomatic for a long period, when a person is already a carrier of the disease and transmits it to his sexual partners.

When an infection enters the female body, symptoms appear that depend on the degree of damage to the organ:

urination occurs more often than usual and is accompanied by pain;
the urethra and external genitalia are itchy;
vaginal discharge appears with mucus and a cloudy color;
ovulation is accompanied by brown or bloody discharge;
liver hurts;
a rash appears on the skin;
colds more often than usual;
cervical erosion is diagnosed, purulent discharge appears.

Carefully: cases were identified where women had microorganisms for 7 years and did not know about their existence, infecting their sexual partners.

Diagnosis of ureaplasmosis is carried out without any particular difficulties. It is important to know that the test for the presence of these microorganisms is taken several times. The goal is to identify pathology and treatment results.

Modern medicine has four methods for detecting ureaplasmosis.

Norm of ureaplasma in a smear in women it is determined by bacteriological method. It is characterized by the taking of biological material.

Guaranteeing an accurate result and determining the degree of sensitivity of a microorganism to antibacterial agents is the key to successful diagnosis.

A smear is taken from the cervix.

Seven days later, the results of the study are provided. The disadvantage of this diagnostic method is the price, since it is significantly higher than other methods.

Polymerase chain reaction method is the most effective among other types of diagnostics. It shows not only the presence, but also reveals ureaplasma and determines whether it is normal or not.

This method finds genetic material in the cervix and accurately determines the disease. More affordable than bacteriological.

Results are known within three days. The disadvantage of this diagnostic method is the inability to determine sensitivity to antibacterial agents and the number of pathogens in the material remains secret.

Another diagnostic method reveals presence of antibodies in the blood to ureaplasma. The results are approximately true, because the antibodies remain in the female body after getting rid of ureaplasmosis. This method is called serological.

A similar method is the direct immunofluorescence method. The figures are not accurate.

The diagnostic price is cheap, but the effectiveness is estimated at only 60%.

All diagnostic methods are effective and enable specialists to prescribe competent treatment.

After treating the disease, you should definitely take tests again no later than seven days later to confirm the effectiveness of the treatment.

Features of the analysis for ureaplasmosis

When donating blood, the patient must go to the laboratory in the morning and donate it on an empty stomach.

Even a cup of tea can make the results unreliable.

A urine test is also given in the morning; the first morning urine is collected.

It is important that the urine stays in the bladder for at least four to six hours, only then can you count on a true analysis conclusion.

three days before the smear test, you should not use suppositories, ointments, or vaginal preparations;
the day before the test you cannot douche;
You should not use antibiotics or antiviral drugs a month before taking a smear.

You should not take a scraping or smear during menstruation; it is recommended to contact a specialist closer to the middle of the menstrual cycle.

You can't have sex for a few days before your test. Genital hygiene should be carried out no later than the evening before the test, and do not use ointments or gels.

It is important to understand that the detection of ureaplasma or other foreign microorganisms in the body does not always indicate illness.

The norm in women for ureaplasma when diagnosed by PCR should not exceed the mark 104 CFU per 1 ml. If the indicator is higher, this is a signal about the presence of active microorganisms.

These same numbers for ureaplasma are normal indicators in the culture results.

The normal level of ureaplasma in women in tests always pleases both the patient and the doctor. But if the result is higher than normal, you should not panic.

The first thing to do is to find the cause of the infection; it could be inflammatory processes or other pathologies of the urinary system.

You cannot diagnose and treat the disease yourself; this can lead to other diseases that will harm healthy organs.

What are the normal indicators of ureaplasma in the tests?

The fact is that ureaplasma belongs to the so-called opportunistic flora, that is, it exhibits its pathogenic properties only in the presence of favorable conditions.

In their absence, it can remain in the body for years and even decades without causing any harm.

Therefore, detection of the presence of Ureaplasma type bacteria in tests does not always indicate the presence of a disease. In this regard, the question is often raised: what is the norm of ureaplasma, and what do the numbers of its quantitative content generally mean?

General information and distribution routes

To date, scientists have identified 14 serotypes of bacteria, which, based on morphological characteristics, are classified as Ureaplasma. Two of them lead to the occurrence of ureaplasmosis: U.urealyticum and U.parvum.

The mechanisms of the occurrence of inflammatory processes during the pathogenic activity of these microorganisms have not been fully studied.

The most common route of transmission of these representatives of opportunistic flora is sexually, which allows us to attribute the disease caused by them to venereal disease.

Infection can occur in the womb. After entering the child’s body, the bacteria settle in the internal genital organs, where they wait for suitable conditions for activation.

When favorable conditions occur, ureaplasma parvum and uroealiticum begin to multiply intensively, affecting epithelial cells, causing the development of inflammatory processes and other manifestations of ureaplasmosis.

Considering that these microorganisms can be part of the microflora of a healthy person, it is important during diagnosis to determine as accurately as possible the quantitative characteristics of the bacteria of its components in order to further determine whether they correspond to the norm.

Diagnostic features

To determine the amount of certain microorganisms in the microflora, samples of the following liquids may be needed:

It is not difficult to obtain such samples. But the information content of the results of their study does not allow us to draw a complete picture of the patient’s health status.

Fragments of fluids from the urethra, vagina and cervical canal will be needed. Obtaining such samples is not easy, and in some cases painful. And if there are no pathological discharges, it is almost impossible.

There is no point in examining normal discharge that does not have the color and consistency characteristic of chlamydia. The result will be either the complete absence of pathogenic bacteria, or their normal level.

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What is the norm of ureaplasma? At what level can they be present in the body?

The human body is home to more than two hundred species of different bacteria and microorganisms. Some of them exist in harmony with the body, others are pathogenic, causing serious harm to human health. One of them is ureaplasma, which occupies an intermediate position between viruses and single-celled organisms. Many women have heard of such a concept as normal ureaplasma, but only a few know what it is. But this concept is conditional, due to the difficulties in collecting secretions from the genitourinary system for analysis. It is almost impossible to obtain a sample to test for the presence of infection if there is no pathological discharge.

Ureaplasma, causes

Science knows 14 types of single-celled data, but two of particular interest are: ureaplasma urealiticum and parvum, the norm of which in a woman’s body should be no more than 10 to the 3rd power.

Ureaplasmosis is a fairly widespread sexually transmitted disease and is the most common among infections. However, to this day, doctors do not have a common opinion on whether it is even possible to assert the existence of such a disease or whether some doctors came up with it. The fact is that the causative agents of the disease are identified in 55% of healthy women and 25% of newborn girls. That is, the presence of such microorganisms is the norm and it is unknown whether they are hostile. The mirror of the body's security is the normal state of the microflora. As soon as any deviations in the balance of microorganisms are noticed, the number of ureaplasmas sharply increases, which ultimately leads to inflammation.

In addition to the sexual method of infection, medicine knows the intrauterine method, which is characterized by the entry of microorganisms into the fetus during pregnancy. Penetrating into his genitourinary system, ureaplasma does not manifest itself in any way and is not diagnosed, and can also exist there throughout life.

When is treatment prescribed?

When diagnosing an increased amount of ureaplasma, treatment is not always prescribed, since this is not an indicator of the development of infection. Even if a woman’s ureaplasma count is at the level of 10 to 4 degrees, and the symptoms listed below are not observed, then treatment is not prescribed:

discharge from the genitals of a clear liquid with an unpleasant odor;
severe periodic pain in the lower abdomen;
frequent visits to the toilet, pain in the bladder;
discomfort during or after sexual intercourse.

If at least one of these symptoms fits the clinical picture of the disease and a sharp increase in pathogenic microorganisms is diagnosed, it means that inflammation has begun and antibiotic therapy is prescribed. Immunomodulatory drugs are also prescribed if the tests reveal a pathogen count of no more than 10*3.

Rules for preparing for research

As you can see, this disease is quite insidious due to the weak vital activity of infectious agents, which directly depends on the state of your immunity and the appearance of a favorable environment for development and reproduction. It is absolutely easy to carry out the preparatory stage before examination for ureaplasmosis. For most women, such an analysis is a rather unpleasant procedure.

The following are the instructions before undergoing a medical examination:

When collecting blood for testing, it must be donated in the morning on an empty stomach. Urine is also taken for analysis in the morning; it is important that it remains in the bladder for at least 4 hours;
When the material for research is a smear or scraping, you should refrain from sexual intercourse three days before the test;
Before visiting a doctor, in the evening you can make a hygienic toilet of the genitals without using detergents.
3 hours before the test you are required to refrain from going to the toilet;
If there have been previous precedents of ureaplasmosis invasion, at least a month must pass after completing the full course of treatment to undergo a re-analysis.

Analysis for ureaplasma

The disease is determined using laboratory diagnostics. The first step is to make a smear from the vagina and cervix. If the test is positive and clear signs of inflammation are noted, a full examination is carried out, which includes:

Inoculation of the cultural fluid, in which the type of pathogen and its quantity are identified.
A polymerase chain reaction study, which determines the above results, but this method is relevant for determining ureaplasmosis at the first stage.
Enzyme immunoassay diagnostics are carried out to specify the type of microorganisms.

If there is a regular sexual partner, then the analysis must also be taken from him.

Ureaplasma: normal value

Pathogenic microorganisms such as ureaplasma are an integral part of the urogenital microflora in 55% of healthy women. The highest normal value for ureaplasma is considered to be 10 to 4 CFU/ml. If this threshold is exceeded, then it is necessary to carry out a full course of therapy. When determining a lower value, treatment is not necessary, but it is worth taking medications that enhance immunity for some time. As stated above, this norm is not conditional.

It is noted that the analysis of infected people with no symptoms never gives an accurate result of whether these microorganisms are in the human body and whether they are in a safe quantity for him.

Ureaplasma: quantitative determination

As has already been discussed, the quantitative norm for the presence of bacteria in the genitourinary canal and vagina is about 10 to the 4th power. However, in case of any deviations, you should not delay the treatment of such an unpleasant disease as ureaplasmosis.

It is also worth noting the fact that women have a characteristic feature - the presence of a menstrual cycle. Since it differs in periodicity, different amounts of vaginal epithelium exfoliate in women during different periods of this cycle. It follows from this that, using the same diagnostic method in the same female individual, but in different phases of the menstrual cycle, the results of such a study will differ significantly. Due to this feature, experts to this day cannot name a clear norm of ureaplasma in the body, and also cannot understand the question of the need for therapy.

However, in any of the following cases, completing the full course of treatment is mandatory:

if the ureaplasma value exceeds the extreme norm;
when planning pregnancy to reduce the risk of fetal disease;
with pronounced signs of the disease;
when determining any sexually transmitted infection.

Decoding the analysis results

At the slightest suspicion of a disease, we recommend that you seek the help of a qualified specialist who, in accordance with the received picture of the disease, will prescribe an individual course of antibacterial therapy for you. It is also strictly forbidden to self-medicate, and carry out the treatment procedure under the supervision of a doctor.

As with therapy, interpretation of test results should be carried out exclusively by your treating doctor. We especially emphasize that you should not do this yourself. Because, even if ureaplasma was detected in the analysis, this does not mean at all that your body is infected and that you should take medications.

Also one of these reasons is the fact that different laboratories indicate different values in the analysis results. When conducting a study using the PRC method and bacteriological culture discussed above, the generally accepted amount of ureaplasma should be 10 to the 4th power per 1 ml.

In other words, if in both tests the values of the normal number of microorganisms exceed it, then you should definitely take an additional test, which will allow you to determine the reaction of the pathogen to antibiotics and complete the full course of therapy prescribed by the doctor.

If an increase in the level of ureaplasma is suspected, a complete diagnosis of the urinary and reproductive systems of the body is carried out. A prerequisite is to take a smear from the vagina and examine it microscopically. If an inflammatory process is detected, in all cases additional tests are prescribed, which will give a clear answer: is there a case of invasion or not.

As we have already found out, ureaplasmosis is a rather unpleasant disease with characteristic symptoms. If these alarming signs still appear, be sure to consult a doctor. In any case, the disease is easier to prevent with the help of banal methods of using contraceptives and maintaining personal hygiene. Be healthy!

Ureaplasma in women has become commonplace in recent years. Medical statistics show: over the past few years, the lines “ureaplasma normal” or “conditional normocenosis” have become less and less common in patient test results forms, and the number of detected diseases caused by opportunistic microorganisms is growing year by year.

The frequency of diagnosis of “ureaplasma infection” reaches 20% in relatively healthy women. Ureaplasma in a smear taken from women at risk is detected even more often - in 30% of cases of the total number of subjects examined.

The data from pediatricians is also impressive: every fifth child becomes infected while passing through the birth canal.

In men, ureaplasma urealiticum is detected in increased quantities much less frequently than in the fairer sex. Early detection of the causative agents of the disease and proper treatment guarantee complete relief from the disease.

Read about how to recognize the disease, what indicators of ureaplasma in women are considered normal, and what the lack of adequate therapy can lead to.

Although most experts consider PCR diagnostics to be the most reliable in detecting ureaplasmosis, not all laboratories carry it out, so sometimes patients have to take ELISA or RIF. The results of these tests sometimes raise doubts about the presence of the causative agent of ureaplasmosis in the body, especially in the early stages of the disease or during the recovery period, when a course of treatment has been completed. In such cases, a false positive result of ureaplasma may be obtained. With such a conclusion, a comprehensive examination is required in order to confirm or reject this conclusion and state complete recovery.

A false positive result with ELISA can be obtained after treatment. There are still antibodies in the blood, which will definitely reveal themselves for a long time when examining the material, showing a positive reaction. At the same time, PCR and bacterial culture do not detect the viruses themselves and give a negative answer. Doctors call this phenomenon a “residual trace” after a course of therapy. To make sure that the virus is really absent, you can do the ELISA again after a few months and compare the titers. With a false positive result, ureaplasma is absent, so titers will decrease over time.

The result of ureaplasma may be false positive due to the fact that when carrying out the ELISA and PCR methods, completely different material is taken for research. If the ELISA shows class A antibodies, then there is an infection in the body and the fight against it is already underway, as evidenced by the presence of immunoglobulins in the blood. However, a PCR test can indicate a negative result on the same day. This happens solely because the material was taken from the wrong place where viruses live. Since antibodies are found in the blood, they can be found anywhere. With the causative agent of the disease, everything happens completely differently. Ureaplasma in the body can be local, that is, in a certain area. If it is present in the uterine cavity, then when examining urethral discharge, the analysis will be negative. This happened only because the area for collecting material was incorrectly defined.

There is ureaplasma in the body, which has been shown to be effective by PCR, but there are completely no antibodies in the blood if the immune system is weakened. This situation is also a reason to draw a conclusion about a false positive result, because the PCR and ELISA readings do not match. In this case, you can start

Testing for ureaplasma in women has become a source of controversy in scientific medical circles. Some insist on the insidiousness of the microorganism, the hidden threat of delayed illnesses and breakdowns, complicated pregnancy, even miscarriage. Some make good money by exploiting people's fear for their health. Others tend to rely only on facts confirmed by experiments, shifting the responsibility of choice to the patient, and question the clinical significance of the infection itself.

Let's try to separate commercial myths from medical data and talk about the true danger of ureaplasma so that people understand what they are facing.

Information about ureaplasma

The microorganism belongs to the family of mycoplasmas - tiny bacteria that do not have their own cell wall, which makes them slightly vulnerable to most antibiotics. Mycoplasmas (mollicutes) occupy an intermediate position between viruses and unicellular microbes.

The fact that ureaplasma is found in the majority of women (60 - 80%) and a significant part of the male sex (45%) allows us to consider the microbe part of the normal microflora. But when local immunity fails, the bacterium tends to grow rapidly, provoking ureaplasmosis.

Although this diagnosis is not included in the list of the International Classification of Diseases, it is considered when, in the presence of inflammation, no more significant pathogenic factors have been identified. Ureaplasma and mycoplasma as a specified pathogen are included in the diagnoses:

Cervicitis (code N72.0 + B96.8);
Urethritis (code N34.0 + B96.8);
Vaginitis (code B07.0 + B96.8).

Given the recent start of research into ureaplasma and its pathogenic role, the study of the microorganism continues. Two biologically significant variants of ureaplasma have been found: urealyticum and parvum, with the biovar urealyticum being less common and more dangerous. A person can be a carrier of one of them, or both at the same time. Mycoplasmas are considered to be opportunistic flora that can cause harm only to people with immune deficiency.

Today there is a consensus: the very fact of detecting ureaplasma parvum and urealyticum in a woman in tests is the norm; if the numbers are insignificant, there are no complaints. Treatment for the only reason - a positive test - is not carried out.

If the disease is present, and laboratory data do not show other pathogens, except for an increased level of ureaplasma, a diagnosis of “ureaplasmosis” is made. Treat with broad-spectrum antibiotics (tetracycline, erythromycin, doxycycline, ofloxacin, azithromycin), based on the results of sensitivity tests.

Tetracycline
Erythromycin Doxycycline Ofloxacin
Azithromycin

Important! The picture is different before a planned pregnancy or during its course. A woman whose tests have shown the presence of ureaplasma has the right to know that hormonal changes can reduce local immune defense. This provokes the proliferation of pathogens suspected of causing miscarriage, premature fetus, and pneumonia of the newborn.

How is ureaplasma detected?

Today, precise laboratory methods together make it possible to identify with high reliability both the ureaplasma itself and the antibodies to it produced by the immune system. Any single method will show a contradictory picture, so a set of tests is prescribed. Responsible doctors simultaneously take tests for ureaplasma in women, which include:

Serological examination of blood serum (IgG, IgA);
Microbiological analysis (culture with antibiotic sensitivity control);
PCR (polymer reaction) technique for detecting pathogen DNA.

For serology, venous blood is taken, for microbiology and PCR - biological fluids (urine, in men also prostate secretions, sperm), epithelial cells of the genitourinary tract.

Note! Before taking the test, a woman needs to know that the menstrual cycle affects hormonal levels and the balance of microflora. To avoid getting a false positive answer, you should, on the recommendation of your doctor, choose the optimal time for collecting the material.

It is advisable to repeat the examination after 2 weeks to monitor the dynamics of microorganism growth.

After antimicrobial therapy, it is important to monitor whether the disease is cured - if the result is negative, ureaplasma and other bacteria are excluded as a pathogenic factor.

Problems in interpreting tests for ureaplasma

Practicing doctors are of the opinion that the contamination rate is up to 104 CFU per 1 ml acceptable, above - considered dangerous and subject to treatment. There is no convincing data on such figures in the scientific literature; there are only assumptions.

The problem of interpreting tests for ureaplasma remains unresolved - each doctor takes his own responsibility, analyzing the clinical picture of each individual patient, and makes an informed decision about the advisability of fighting the microbe.

An honest doctor has a responsibility to inform the patient of the risks revealed by medical research, but at the same time refrain from trying to intimidate and prey on his gullibility. Some people are guilty of commercial temptation, attributing mythical horrors to mycoplasmas, thereby inclining the patient to expensive, often useless, treatment.

Information about the dangers of ureaplasma

What are mycoplasmas really guilty of, what are they suspected of, based on research results?

Some data on the impact of Ureaplasma urealyticum contamination on women's health concern:

Inflammation of the urogenital tract, uterus, genital appendages;
Pathological course of pregnancy;
Miscarriages;
Cases of ectopic pregnancy;
Formations of adhesions in the pipes;
Low birth weight;
Pneumonia of the newborn;
Infertility.

The male sex is at risk of urethritis, impaired spermatogenesis (sedentary and immobile sperm), prostatitis, and damage to the musculoskeletal system.

Arguments about the relative harmlessness of mycoplasmas

Examining healthy women who have no complaints or clinical signs of the disease, ureaplasma parvum is found in tests in 80 - 90% of women of reproductive age, urealyticum - in 30%. In this case, women carry the fetus normally and give birth to healthy babies.

Analyzing individual data on the dangers of mycoplasmas, it is difficult to trace the cause-and-effect relationship. Indeed, in patients with the listed ailments, increased contamination with urealyticum was detected, but its role as a trigger is not yet clear.

Note! It is fair to talk about the risks for persons with impaired immune defense function, microflora imbalance, and immunodeficiency conditions. Such people must be treated for ureaplasmosis.

Regarding the advisability of treating asymptomatic ureplasma, preventive therapy is not practiced in the world. Treatment is prescribed exclusively based on obvious indicators - the presence of complaints, obvious symptoms, positive laboratory results.

Important! If urethritis, cervicitis, or vaginitis is diagnosed, therapy is mandatory, even when the pathogen is not identified.

During pregnancy, if a sexually transmitted infection is detected that is included in the list of TORCH infections (dangerous to the fetus), then when the pathogen is destroyed with antibiotics, ureaplasma will also suffer, since it is sensitive to the prescribed drugs.

Mycoplasmas themselves are not currently included in the list of TORCH infections, so they should not be treated only when the test is positive during pregnancy, especially if the pregnancy proceeds without problems in the genital organs. The negative effect of therapy may outweigh the therapeutic result. There is evidence that antibiotics during pregnancy do not protect against premature birth.