Mycoplasma / Ureaplasma Panel

Included Tests

Mycoplasma genitalium; Mycoplasma hominis;  Ureaplasma species

Included Tests References:

• SureSwab®, Mycoplasma hominis
• Mycoplasma genitalium
• SureSwab®, Ureaplasma species

Clinical Significance

Mycoplasma/Ureaplasma Panel - Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma spp. have been associated with genital tract infection. M. genitalium has been implicated in cervicitis, endometritis, and PID. M. hominis has also been associated with cervicitis and is present in increased numbers in vaginosis. Ureaplasma spp. have been linked to upper genitourinary tract infection and to premature labor and abortion. Because of their nature, these organisms are not routinely cultured and are better detected by molecular methods. Recently, by molecular means two groups of Ureaplasma spp. have been distinguished- U. parvum and U. urealyticum, with the former being more prevalent in the lower genital tract of a healthy woman. It is not clear which species more predominantly causes infection. M. hominis and the ureaplasmas appear to be opportunists when they infect the upper genitourinary tract. These organisms have also been targeted as having a possible role in infertility, although this remains a gray area.

Patient Preparation

Male Swab Collection: Patient should not have urinated within one hour prior to collection.

Specimen Overview

For females, vaginal swabs are the preferred specimen type due to higher clinical sensitivity for detecting M. genitalium than other specimen types; however, female urine or clinician collected endocervical swabs may be used as alternative specimens when vaginal swab specimens are not available. If female urine or clinician-collected endocervical swab specimens test negative, testing with a vaginal swab may be indicated, if M. genitalium infection is suspected.

Reference Range:

Mycoplasma hominis, Real-Time PCR: Not detected

Mycoplasma genitalium, rRNA, TMA: Not detected

Ureaplasma species, Real-Time PCR U. parvum DNA: Not detected

U. urealyticum DNA: Not detected

Methodology:

• Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Transcription-Mediated Amplification (TMA)

Clinical Significance

Mycoplasma/Ureaplasma Panel - Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma spp. have been associated with genital tract infection. M. genitalium has been implicated in cervicitis, endometritis, and PID. M. hominis has also been associated with cervicitis and is present in increased numbers in vaginosis. Ureaplasma spp. have been linked to upper genitourinary tract infection and to premature labor and abortion. Because of their nature, these organisms are not routinely cultured and are better detected by molecular methods. Recently, by molecular means two groups of Ureaplasma spp. have been distinguished- U. parvum and U. urealyticum, with the former being more prevalent in the lower genital tract of a healthy woman. It is not clear which species more predominantly causes infection. M. hominis and the ureaplasmas appear to be opportunists when they infect the upper genitourinary tract. These organisms have also been targeted as having a possible role in infertility, although this remains a gray area.

CDM

00919206, 00919207, 00919209

CPT Coding

87563, 87798 (x3)