Epidemiological investigation and antimicrobial susceptibility analysis of Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma hominis in a teaching hospital in Shenyang, China

Ureaplasma infections: update on epidemiology, antimicrobial resistance, and pathogenesis

Human Ureaplasma species are being increasingly recognized as opportunistic pathogens in human genitourinary tract infections, infertility, adverse pregnancy, neonatal morbidities, and other adult invasive infections. Although some general reviews have focused on the detection and clinical manifestations of Ureaplasma spp., the molecular epidemiology, antimicrobial resistance, and pathogenesis of Ureaplasma spp. have not been adequately explained. The purpose of this review is to offer valuable insights into the current understanding and future research perspectives of the molecular epidemiology, antimicrobial resistance, and pathogenesis of human Ureaplasma infections. This review summarizes the conventional culture and detection methods and the latest molecular identification technologies for Ureaplasma spp. We also reviewed the global prevalence and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance for Ureaplasma spp. Aside from regular antibiotics, novel antibiotics with outstanding in vitro antimicrobial activity against Ureaplasma spp. are described. Furthermore, we discussed the pathogenic mechanisms of Ureaplasma spp., including adhesion, proinflammatory effects, cytotoxicity, and immune escape effects, from the perspectives of pathology, related molecules, and genetics.

Antimicrobial resistance of genital mycoplasmas recovered from nonpregnant women in Greece: trends over the last 15 years

Aim: To study antimicrobial susceptibilities of genital mycoplasmas recovered from endocervical samples of reproductive-age, nonpregnant women (n = 8,336). Materials & methods: For isolation and susceptibility testing, the Mycoplasma IST2 kit was used. Results: As many as 2093 samples were positive for mycoplasmas. The vast majority (>96%) of Ureaplasma urealyticum remained susceptible to tetracycline, doxycycline, josamycin and pristinamycin, whereas susceptibility rates to azithromycin and fluoroquinolones were significantly decreased. Mycoplasma hominis exhibited high susceptibility rates to doxycycline, pristinamycin and josamycin (98.1-100%), while susceptibilities to tetracycline and fluoroquinolones were considerably lower. Conclusion: Doxycycline remained highly potent for treating mycoplasmas; nevertheless, susceptibilities to other antimicrobials were significantly diminished.

Deciphering the genetic basis of resistome and virulome diversity among multidrug-resistant Mycoplasma hominis

Mycoplasma hominis, a commensal bacterium that commonly inhabits the genital tract, leading to infections in both the genitourinary and extragenital regions. However, the antimicrobial resistance and pathogenic mechanisms of M. hominis isolated from extra-urogenital cystic abscess is largely unknown. This study reports the genomic epidemiological characteristics of a M. hominis isolate recovered from a pelvic abscess sample in China. Genomic DNA was extracted and sequenced using Illumina HiSeq X Ten platform. De novo assembly was performed and in silico analysis was accomplished by multiple bioinformatics tools. For phylogenomic analysis, publicly available M. hominis genomes were retrieved from NCBI GenBank database. Whole genome sequencing data showed that the genome size of M. hominis MH4246 was calculated as 679,746 bp, with 558 protein-coding sequences and a G + C content of 26.9%. M. hominis MH4246 is resistant to fluoroquinolones and macrolides, harboring mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDRs) (GyrA S153L, ParC S91I and ParE V417I) and 23S rRNA gene (G280A, C1500T, T1548C and T2218C). Multiple virulence determinants, such as tuf, hlyA, vaa, oppA, MHO_0730 and alr genes, were identified. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the closest relative of M. hominis MH4246 was the strain MH-1 recovered from China, which differed by 3490 SNPs. Overall, this study contributes to the comprehension of genomic characteristics, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and the mechanisms underlying the pathogenicity of this pathogen.

Prevalence of Ureaplasma species among patients at a tertiary hospital in China: a 10-year retrospective study from 2013 to 2022

BACKGROUND

Ureaplasma species are common pathogens of the urogenital tract and can cause a range of diseases. Unfortunately, there is still a scarcity of large-scale and cross-sectional studies on the prevalence of Ureaplasma species in China to clarify their epidemic patterns.

METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed the data of 18667 patients who visited Peking Union Medical College Hospital for showing various symptoms of (suspected) Ureaplasma species infection during the period 2013-2022. The overall prevalence of Ureaplasma species was calculated, and subgroup analyses were conducted in view of gender, age, specimen types, and diagnosis in every year within the period studied. Furthermore, previous literature that reported on the prevalence of Ureaplasma species in various regions of China was searched and summarized.

RESULTS

The overall positive rate of Ureaplasma species in this study reached 42.1% (7861/18667). Specifically, the prevalence of Ureaplasma species was significantly higher in female patients, while the highest detection rate was found in the 21-50 age group. From 2013 to 2022, there were no significant differences in positive rates of Ureaplasma species among years. However, the detection rate of Ureaplasma species was decreased in COVID-19 period (2020-2022) compared to pre-COVID-19 period (2017-2019). In view of the distribution of patients, outpatients predominated, but the detection rate was lower than inpatients. Urine was the most common specimen type, while cervical swabs had the highest detection rate of Ureaplasma species. When grouped by diagnosis, the highest positive rate of Ureaplasma species was seen in patients with adverse pregnancy outcomes and the lowest rate in patients with prostate disease. The previous literature, although heterogeneous, collectively suggested a high prevalence of Ureaplasma species in China.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study has shown that Ureaplasma species have reached a significant prevalence in China and demands adequate attention.

Application of next-generation sequencing on diagnosis of bloodstream infection caused by Mycoplasma hominis in a patient with ANCA-associated vasculitis

BACKGROUND

Mycoplasma hominis is one of the main opportunistic pathogenic mycoplasmas in humans which has a major impact on patients with bloodstream infections. Because it is difficult to detect or isolate, rapid and accurate diagnosis using improved methods is essential and still challenging for patients with bloodstream infection.

CASE PRESENTATION

In this case, we reported the application of next -generation sequencing for the diagnosis of bloodstream infection caused by Mycoplasma hominis in a patient with Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis. After 9 days of combined treatment with levofloxacin, polymyxin B and meropenem, the patient's condition was gradually controlled and he was discharged without further complications. During the three-month outpatient follow-up, no recurrence of symptoms or clinical signs was reported.

CONCLUSIONS

This successful application of next generation sequencing assisted the rapid diagnosis of Mycoplasma hominis bloodstream infection, provided a new perspective in the clinical approach and highlighted the potential of this technique in rapid etiological diagnosis.

Prevalence of Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Ureaplasma parvum detection in urine and respiratory tract samples in Hiroshima, Japan

Background

Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma parvum, and Ureaplasma urealyticum are commensal bacteria that are associated with colonization and infection of the urogenital tract. However, colonization of the respiratory tract by these microorganisms in adults has not been fully investigated.

Methods

Urine and respiratory tract samples (sputum, tracheal aspirates, and bronchoalveolar lavage) of patients aged 20-80 years were analyzed to detect the presence of M. hominis, U. parvum, and U. urealyticum using a conventional PCR method. The samples were submitted to the microbiological clinical laboratory of Hiroshima University Hospital from December 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022.

Results

In total, 334 urine and 238 respiratory tract samples were analyzed. The overall detection rates of M. hominis, U. parvum, and U. urealyticum were 2.9%, 1.7%, and 2.3% in male urine; 7.0%, 13.8%, and 1.9% in female urine; 2.2%, 0%, and 2.2% in male respiratory tract; and 0%, 2.0%, and 0% in female respiratory tract, respectively. In urine samples, the detection rates of M. hominis, U. parvum, and U. urealyticum were significantly higher (p < 0.001) for women (29/159; 18.2%) than for men (10/175; 5.7%); however, in respiratory tract samples, the detection rates were not significantly different (p = 0.70) between women (2/101; 2.0%) and men (5/137; 3.7%). Further, both the urine and respiratory samples of 83 patients were analyzed. Three male samples were positive for M. hominis or U. urealyticum, and M. hominis and U. urealyticum were matched in both the urine and respiratory tract samples: M. hominis (n = 1), U. urealyticum (n = 1), M. hominis + U. urealyticum (n = 1).

Conclusion

M. hominis, U. parvum, and U. urealyticum were detected in the respiratory tract of not only the young patients, but also of patients aged 50-60 years. Further studies are required to understand the relationship of these microorganisms in urogenital and respiratory tract samples with extra-genital infections.

Identification of sacrococcygeal and pelvic abscesses infected with invasive Mycoplasma hominis by MALDI‐TOF MS

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion