Ureaplasma diagnosis. Ureaplasmosis

The bacterium ureaplasma is the causative agent of ureaplasmosis and can be found in human body decades without causing any manifestations. This means that ureaplasma pathogens cause diseases that adversely affect our body only when certain factors appear. With a weakened immune system and an imbalance in the bacterial environment of the mucous membranes, these conditionally pathogenic microorganisms can cause significant damage to health.

Not everyone knows what ureaplasma is and what methods to treat it with. In fact, the infection can be detected at the early stages of its development, but in order to highlight painful deviations from the normal state of the body, specialists first bring the disease to the stage of exacerbation, and then proceed to intensive treatment.

Answering readers what ureaplasmosis is, we will consider the topic in detail.

Features of the pathogen

In the biological environment, there are many types of ureaplasmas, but only two of them are considered the most significant:

urealiticum;
parvum.

As a rule, the microorganism lives in the genitourinary system, but more and more often the bacterium is detected in the lungs and kidneys.

Types of bacteria

Ureaplasmas, more recently, are a separate type of microorganisms. Before that, they were classified as mycoplasmas. In microbiology, there are about 14 varieties of bacteria, and only some of them have a special composition of membrane proteins. Recognition of the species makes it easier for specialists to competently select the treatment of the disease.

Infection of a person occurs during contact with the carrier, usually this occurs during sexual intercourse.

Infection of a newborn can occur during childbirth, as a result of which he will be a carrier of an inactive infection. Latent disease will accompany him throughout his life.

The main causes of infection with ureaplasmas include:

promiscuity (unlimited sexual relations, constant change of partners);
early sexual activity;
unprotected vaginal contact;
increased risks of infection and development of the disease up to 35 years;
surgical interventions associated with disorders of the female reproductive system;
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

The flora of the vagina can change due to prolonged use of antibiotics, hormone-based drugs, nervous shocks, lack of proper hygiene, external exposure to radiation sources and other factors that adversely affect human immunity.

A conditional virus often provokes the development of diseases of the organs of the reproductive and urinary systems. Moreover, the harmful effects can be complex, that is, together with such bacteria as: trichomonas, chlamydia, gonococci.

Infection activation factors

According to statistics, almost a third of baby girls are born with the bacterium ureaplasma on the genitals. In boys, infection occurs much less frequently. With each year of growing up, the infection gradually weakens, and then completely disappears, especially in the stronger sex.

At school age, the virus is diagnosed in 15% of cases. In males, these indicators are minimized. Adults in comparison with children suffer from the disease much more often, since the main route of infection is sexual intercourse.

Scientists are controversial about the possibility of infection in everyday life. Despite this, there are suggestions that the bacterium can be active for up to 48 hours by concentrating on damp household items.

The predominant habitat of the microbe is the genitourinary system and its organs, therefore it is impossible to become infected with ureaplasma through a kiss. However, if the partners accept oral sex, the germ can get into the mouth and subsequently infect one of them during the kiss. The risk increases if there are damage to the mucous membranes in the mouth.

If the infection still got into the body, this is not a reason to say that the person is definitely sick.

In order for the ureaplasma to become activated, it will need a special environment and conditions, namely:

weak immune system;
systematic nervous strain;
violations of the natural bacterial balance;
infectious diseases of the genitourinary apparatus;
radiation exposure;
absence healthy eating, addictions, poor quality of life;
poor hygienic care of the genitals;

Diseases of bacterial etiology almost always develop against the background of a weakened organism. reduce immune system can catarrhal and chronic ailments, thereby creating a favorable background for the active life of the microbe.

Symptoms

The disease can be expressed by acute or sluggish signs. There are no specific symptoms that characterize specifically ureaplasmosis. Symptoms of the disease can easily be attributed to manifestations of the activation of other bacteria.

Signs of ureaplasmosis in men:

cutting and burning pain in the genitals during urination;
pain in the area of the cone-shaped thickening of the penis during lovemaking;
aching and pulling pains in the muscle tissues of the perineum and in the lower abdomen;
pain in the saccular formation (testicles);
decreased libido.

painful and discomfort in the process of passing urine;
protopathic pains, bearing a pulling character in the lower abdomen;
the appearance of thick discharge from the vaginal area;
lack of satisfaction during sex;
the emergence of hostility to sexual intercourse;
inability to get pregnant for a long time.

Ureaplasma infection can adversely affect the body without any symptoms. In such a situation, the disease takes on a chronic character, bypassing the primary and acute stage.

How is the disease in pregnant women

Since ureaplasma in humans is a natural inhabitant of the bacterial environment of the body, a pregnant woman may not notice her vital activity.

The period of pregnancy is a strong stress for all body systems. Global changes are taking place in the immune and hormonal spheres. During this period, an opportunistic bacterium starts active synthesis, damaging healthy cells.

Genital ureaplasmosis is dangerous because it can cause premature birth or abortion on early dates. The microbe is activated in the uterine cavity and appendages and gives rise to a number of complications in the postpartum period.

In some cases, ureaplasmas negatively affect the development nervous system at the fetus. Therefore, earlier doctors recommended that women terminate the pregnancy. Now the situation is different and ureaplasmosis can be effectively treated during pregnancy.

Newborns infected during childbirth are susceptible to inflammatory processes in the lung tissues and bronchi.

In addition, such infants are more prone to developing the following diseases in them:

pneumonia;
chronic lung injury;
blood poisoning;
inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord.

For the treatment of pregnant women, specialists select special antibiotics that do not adversely affect the development of the fetus. The venereologist competently selects the drug, calculates its dosage, schedule and frequency of doses. Lactobacilli and immune preparations help fight infection and prevent gastrointestinal disorders.

Ureaplasmosis in virgins

Unfortunately, ureaplasmosis is also found in virgins. The reasons for which the disease may occur include the following factors:

the girl hides the beginning of sexual activity and in fact is no longer a virgin;
infection occurred through a kiss, after oral-genital communication;
there was a household route of infection (towels, bathroom, toilet bowl) has no evidence, but it cannot be ruled out;
often the disease is diagnosed in a girl whose parent suffered an illness during pregnancy.

If a girl noticed symptoms of an inflammatory process on her genitals or a disease was detected, this cannot mean that the infection has occurred recently. Perhaps for a long time she was just a carrier, and then, under the influence of negative factors, the conditional virus was activated.

Thus, even in the absence of sexual intimacy and with proper protection of intimate relationships, there remains a risk of detecting ureaplasmas in girls and boys.

Diagnostics

To get the most accurate diagnostic result before contacting a specialist, you need to carefully prepare.

Do not have intimate contact 3 days before the visit to the doctor.
Within 2 days, exclude the use of any hygiene products and preparations for vaginal use.
Do not douche the vagina, refuse to use tampons.

These measures will allow you to leave the bacterial environment not distorted, which will lead to the most accurate results of the study.
Treatment of the disease is permissible after careful diagnostic studies. Ureaplasmosis has no special symptomatic manifestations, therefore, before prescribing therapy, it is necessary to identify the true pathogen that contributes to the development of inflammatory processes. It is desirable if a woman undergoes a diagnosis before planning a pregnancy, since the risks of infection of the fetus are very high.

To detect ureaplasma, various methods are used:

Ureaplasma and its varieties are considered conditional pathogenic microbes. They can live on the mucous membranes of the genitourinary organs throughout a person's life without causing pathological conditions. Strong immunity becomes a barrier to the active production of the microbe.

Despite this, absolutely healthy people are considered a rarity, so it is necessary to fight the disease in the early stages of its development.

The main principles of treatment of ureaplasmosis include:

Gynecology advises to carry out therapy for ureaplasmosis in several stages. The task of the specialist is to select medicines, their doses and drawing up a regimen. Doctors noted that ureaplasma reduces its activity under the influence of drugs such as Azithromycin and Doxycycline.

In some cases, the attending physician prescribes combinations of the following drugs:

oral systems in the form of tablets;
vaginal suppositories, creams;
douching with decoctions medicinal herbs and special compounds.

As an addition to the basic active agents, non-pathogenic drugs are prescribed. beneficial bacteria(probiotics). This measure is necessary to protect the gastrointestinal tract from imbalances of beneficial microorganisms. Along with bifidobacteria, the patient is prescribed stimulants of the immune system, which will enhance the body's defense reactions.

For preventive purposes, thrush is prescribed antimycotics and suppositories for pharmaceutical products to normalize a favorable bacterial environment in the vagina.

On average, the course of treatment lasts about two weeks. During this time, the patient is advised not to eat spicy and salty foods, as well as fatty and fried foods. It is forbidden to have sexual intercourse and abuse alcohol.

Not only the carrier, but also all his sexual partners undergo a full course of therapy. After all therapeutic measures, control studies will be required. For a woman to fully recover, she will need to wait three menstrual cycles.

Medicines enhance their effect if the patient is prescribed auxiliary physiotherapy and flushing measures Bladder. To combat ureaplasma in men, massage manipulations of the prostate gland are ideal.

Treatment with folk remedies

Help folk remedies for the treatment of ureaplasmosis resorted to, if for objective reasons drug treatment not recommended.

Traditional medicine has in its arsenal a huge number of recipes for the treatment of an ailment at home. The most effective is the collection of herbs according to the recommendations of Deryabin. The herbal complex is capable of:

normalize acid balance;
have a weak diuretic effect;
relieve inflammation;
stimulate the immune system to activate protective reactions.

To prepare it, you need a list of ingredients:

birch and pine buds;
the color of chamomile, marigold, dried flowers, linden;
oregano, mint, motherwort, yellow milkwort, thyme, St. John's wort, fatty, sage;
axial root of dandelion, garden, earthen incense;
nettle, double leaf, plantain.

All components are mixed together and crushed. From the finished powder pour 30 gr. and pour boiling water (1 l). The broth is infused for 12 hours under a tightly closed lid. Drink 3 cups of medicinal tea per day. The course of treatment is 90 days.

Garlic paste is also an excellent helper in the treatment of ureaplasmosis. To do this, the head of garlic is divided into cloves, peeled and crushed to a mushy state. The resulting paste is mixed with 2 tbsp. l. vegetable oil, 5 gr. iodized salt, 1 tsp. grated lemon zest and 1 tbsp. l. lemon juice. The resulting mass is whipped and covered with cling film. Use the paste for 1 tsp. after eating.

Ureaplasmosis is well eliminated by douching. To prepare a decoction, take the following components:

1 part of the upland uterus;
2 parts of dry oak bark;
1 part Potentilla shrub;
1 part Bergenia thick-leaved roots.

The resulting collection is poured cold water and cook on low heat for 30 minutes. Then they let it brew a little.

Itching after treatment

If a patient after a course of treatment with ureaplasma experiences a sensation of itching on the genitals, discharge from the vagina is observed, and the skin in the genital area is flaky, an urgent need to come to a consultation with a specialist and undergo a series of diagnostic tests. The disease could not be fully treated, especially if a control analysis for the detection of bacteria was not carried out before the appointment of therapy. In addition, re-infection could occur if the sexual partner was not treated properly.

It's important to know! A weakened ureaplasma bacterium can become a provocateur of the activation of other infectious diseases.

Often the disease returns due to prolonged use of antibiotics. Dysbacteriosis develops in the vagina and causes itching and burning. As a rule, this happens in women after antibiotic therapy for urinary tract infections.

The decision on the treatment of ureaplasmosis can only be entrusted to a doctor. It is he who will select a competent treatment regimen, which will make the disease recede, and the risk of re-infection will be minimized.

Possible Complications

If ureaplasmosis is not detected or treated in time, this can lead to various inflammatory processes in the organs of the genitourinary system, namely:

pathological condition of the vaginal mucosa;
acute and moderate cervicitis;
one - or;
cystitis;
damage to the parenchyma of the kidneys (pyelonephritis).

If you choose the wrong treatment regimen for ureaplasmosis, a woman's health can be seriously undermined. Acute inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs against the background of general infection with ureaplasma lead to the following pathological disorders:

any changes in the menstrual cycle;
pipe solderings;
pathologies in the work of the reproductive system (infertility);
the impossibility of maintaining pregnancy;
developmental pathology of the embryo.

All urogenital diseases, including ureaplasmosis, can cause significant harm to health, therefore optimal solution there will be a rejection of self-appointed therapy in favor of doctors.

Ureaplasma (ureaplasmosis) is a disease caused by microorganisms belonging to the genus Ureaplasma. Until recently, this pathology was classified as an STD, but since 1998 it has been excluded from the list of sexually transmitted infections. Nowadays, ureaplasmosis is understood as an inflammatory lesion of the genitourinary system, which could only be provoked by ureaplasmas (that is, in those cases when, during laboratory research other microorganisms that could cause an inflammatory reaction are not detected).

Ureaplasmosis is one of the causes of infertility, disorders of spermatogenesis and ovulation, premature birth, abortion, and postpartum endometritis. That is why this pathology requires the most effective, timely and competent treatment.

Causes of ureaplasma

The causative agents of ureaplasmosis are unicellular microorganisms - ureaplasma urealiticum and ureaplasma parvum. Representatives of these species are part of the natural microflora of most women, so they are usually classified as opportunistic agents. Ureaplasma can exist for a long time in the body of the carrier of the infection, without provoking the development of the disease in him. However, under the influence of certain factors, microbes begin to actively multiply, contributing to the appearance of the first signs of the disease.

Symptoms of ureaplasma

Ureaplasmosis can occur in two forms: chronic and acute. In this case, infectious agents can provoke an inflammatory lesion of any organs and parts of the genitourinary system. In particular, most often they encounter inflammation of the prostate, bladder, urethra, testicles and their appendages, and - with damage to the uterus, its appendages and vagina.

Main signs of ureaplasma are not of a specific nature. In particular, men may complain about the appearance of mild clear secretions from the urinary tract, pain in the scrotum, lower abdomen, in the perineum, decreased libido and impaired urination. Among women clinical picture the disease can be represented by scanty transparent, pain in the lower abdomen and burning during micturition. In some cases, patients may experience a slight increase in temperature.

Treatment of ureaplasma

Treatment of ureaplasmosis is reduced to the elimination of the conditions that contributed to the unhindered reproduction of ureaplasma. In particular, the standard treatment regimen this disease includes the correction of immunity and a powerful effect on pathogens. More specific recommendations regarding how to treat ureaplasma, can only be formulated by a urologist, venereologist or gynecologist who has conducted an internal examination of the patient.

Among the most effective drugs, intended to combat ureaplasmosis, include:

tetracyclines (tetracycline and doxycycline in ureaplasma are used only in uncomplicated course of the disease);
macrolides (klacid, macropen, sumamed, rulid, erythromycin);
lincosamides (dalacin, lincomycin, clindamycin);
immunomodulators (taquitin, thymalin, decaris, lysozyme, methyluracin).

In some cases, patients are prescribed Eleutherococcus extract, pantocrine or aralia tincture. The total duration of the therapeutic course can reach 3 weeks.

How is ureaplasma transmitted?

In order to avoid infection, it is important to have information about the ways of transmission of ureaplasma infection. The main routes of infection healthy person are:

sexual (up to 45% of cases);
household (40%);
in the process of childbirth from a sick mother (15%).

At the same time, factors that increase the risk of transmission of ureaplasma infection are:

early onset of sexual relations;
unprotected sexual contacts;
frequent change of partners;
age up to 30 years;
a history of STDs and gynecological diseases;
violations of the composition of the natural microflora;
long-term use of hormonal and antibacterial drugs;
constant stress;
radioactive exposure;
a sharp deterioration in the quality of life of the patient.

In addition, the likelihood of developing ureaplasmosis increases under the influence of any factors that contribute to the weakening of the body's immune status.

Seeding for ureaplasma

Searching for answers to the question of how to cure ureaplasma should begin with confirmation of a pre-diagnosis. The results of an external examination of the patient are not a sufficient basis for diagnosing ureaplasmosis. More often than not, further research is needed.

Diseases that people are infected through the genital tract are increasingly spreading among mankind. Today's topic is ureaplasma. What is ureaplasma? These are bacteria that carry out their vital activity on the mucous membrane of the genitourinary system. - one of the most common types of this infection, which causes the disease ureaplasmosis. In fairness, it should be said that doctors note a fairly common asymptomatic course of this disease.

Symptoms

So, the topic of this article is ureaplasma. What is it? First of all, these are bacteria-enemies of the genitourinary system. The insidiousness lies in the fact that their vital activity, as a rule, proceeds asymptomatically or with very blurred signs that quickly disappear. This is especially true for women. As a result, a person in the body has chronic ureaplasmosis. I hope everyone knows.

If the patient is lucky to feel the symptoms of this disease, they will look like this. During urination, discomfort, burning and pain appear in the urethra. Often there is a colorless discharge, which is also odorless. If suddenly they turn yellow-green or yellowish, and an unpleasant smell also appears, this indicates the presence of inflammation.

There are also pronounced symptoms that are characteristic of the simultaneous presence of two types of infections. Frequent "union" create chlamydia and ureaplasma. In an acute and exacerbated form, the disease caused by these bacteria can manifest itself in the form of vulvovaginitis. With significant inflammatory processes caused by this disease, the patient feels pain in the lower abdomen. They can be both pronounced and blurry. Also, these sensations can periodically alternate with each other.

Ureaplasma is also transmitted orally. What is oral? This is the entry of bacteria through the mouth. The manifestation of the disease in this case is expressed somewhat differently. A purulent plaque forms on the tonsils, pharyngitis, tonsillitis begin to develop, it is difficult for a person to swallow and the throat hurts. Often the patient mistakenly believes that this is the beginning of acute respiratory infections or SARS.

Chronicle

If left untreated, the symptoms will pass over time, but the pathogen will not go anywhere from the body. If there is a drop in immunity, the disease will again make itself felt. This can be caused by the following factors: hypothermia, exercise stress, stressful situations, the presence of any other disease, pregnancy and so on.

Unfortunately, this ailment is very often detected with a significant delay, when it has long passed into a chronic state. As a rule, tests for the presence of these bacteria have to be taken before planning a pregnancy or after unsuccessful attempts to conceive a child. As you can see, ureaplasma is very insidious. What is it, you already understood. But do not lose sight of the fact that this infection can lead to other genitourinary diseases, such as colpitis, endometritis, cystitis, pyelonephritis, arthritis, and so on.

Treatment

How to cure ureaplasma? Bacteria are eliminated only with the help of antibiotics and auxiliary drugs. Treatment lasts at least two weeks with antibacterial and immunostimulating agents. Only a doctor can correctly diagnose and select necessary drugs for therapy. In no case should you treat yourself, as this can lead to even more sad consequences.

A bacterial infection called ureaplasmosis began to be diagnosed only after the advent of technology. enzyme immunoassay and polymerase chain reaction.

The microorganism is a unique representative of the microbial environment and occupies a place in the classification between viruses and bacteria. 14 serotypes of the pathogen have been identified, but only the following species cause diseases in humans:

Ureaplasma parvum - 4 serotypes;
Ureaplasma urealiticum - 10 serotypes.

The development of molecular biology has made it possible to identify new types of pathogen, but they have not yet been sufficiently studied. The predominant habitat of microorganisms is the urogenital area, but the bacterium is also detected in the lung tissue and in the kidney area.

A disease caused by microorganisms is called ureaplasmosis. It occurs more often in women, and in men it is hidden, as it does not cause acute symptoms. For the appearance pathological changes it is not enough just to have an infectious agent. In order for inflammation of the urinary tract to occur, the presence of provoking factors is also necessary:

Diseases of the genitourinary system;
Decreased immunity;
Chlamydia, bacterial vaginosis, gonorrhea;
Prostatitis.

With late detection of the microorganism, carriage is formed. In such a situation, it is difficult to cure the pathology, since the infection becomes resistant to most drugs.

Ureaplasmosis of the cervix can cause infertility in women. It can be detected only with specific diagnostic tests (ELISA, RIF, PCR), but studies are expensive and inaccessible to perform in peripheral district hospitals.

Consider the types of pathogens. Common options, disease-causing in humans, Ureaplasma urealyticum and parvum are recognized. In women, only one pathogen is detected. However, there are cases when both types of pathogen are found in the representative of the fair half. In such a situation, a conclusion is established about the presence of Ureaplasma spp, which means the presence of two types of ureaplasma at once (parvum and urealiticum).

How is ureaplasmosis transmitted?

We must not forget that this genital infection. It is obvious that the route of penetration of Ureaplasma into the genitourinary system and uterus is ascending. During unprotected intercourse, microbes enter the ureter, and from there they are able to penetrate the kidneys. Transmission of infection with blood from mother to fetus is possible.

Inflammation of the urethra;
Itching and burning of the urethra;
Changes in the tissue of the epididymis (epididymitis);
Prostatitis.

The danger of ureaplasma infection in men is the violation of spermatogenesis and the formation of kidney stones.

Transmission of ureaplasmosis

There are 2 ways:

Sexual;
Non-sexual.

The infection passes in a vertical way in 85-90% of cases. 5% is due to the spread of the pathogen with the blood from the mother to the fetus. A smaller percentage of infection is typical for anal and oral contacts. For the household method - less than 1%, but it exists and there are proven facts.

Young people ask: “is ureaplasmosis transmitted through a kiss”, since there is no reliable information on the topic in the global network. We answered this question above - there is a contact path.

Ureaplasma is attached to the mucous membrane at the site of penetration. If she is entrenched in oral cavity, then provokes angina.

Answering whether ureaplasma is transmitted through saliva, it must be said that such a possibility exists when the oral cavity comes into contact with the genitals of a person who is infected or is a carrier of the bacterium.

non-sexual transmission

We highlight the following aspects:

Infection of the newborn from the mother;
Household way.

The latter option is considered unproven, but there are clinical facts that against the background nervous stress and experiences, the risk of ureaplasmosis increases.

infectious inflammatory disease urinary organs caused by the pathological activity of ureaplasmas. In 70-80% of cases, the disease occurs in the form of asymptomatic carriage. It can be manifested by non-specific dysuric symptoms, an increase in the amount of clear vaginal discharge, pulling pains in the lower abdomen and impaired reproductive function. For diagnosis, bacterial culture, PCR, ELISA, PIF are used. Etiotropic treatment involves the appointment of antibacterial drugs - macrolides, tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones.

General information

Ureaplasma was first isolated from a patient with non-gonococcal urethritis in 1954. To date, the pathogen is considered a conditionally pathogenic microorganism that exhibits pathological activity only in the presence of certain factors. Carriers of bacteria are 40-50% of sexually active healthy women. The microorganism is detected on the genitals in every third newborn girl and in 5-22% of schoolgirls who do not live sexually. Although, according to the results of various studies, ureaplasmas were the only microorganisms found in some patients with infertility and chronic diseases urogenital sphere, ureaplasmosis is not included as an independent disease in the current International Classification Diseases.

Causes of ureaplasmosis in women

The causative agent of the disease is ureaplasma - an intracellular bacterium without its own cell membrane, which has a tropism for the cylindrical epithelium of the genitourinary organs. From 6 existing species ureaplasma pathogenic activity was detected in two - Ureaplasma urealyticum and Ureaplasma parvum. Infection occurs through unprotected sexual contact or during childbirth. Convincing evidence of the contact-household method of transmission of ureaplasmosis today does not exist.

In most cases, the carriage of ureaplasmas is asymptomatic. The main factors contributing to the development of the inflammatory process are:

dishormonal states. The causative agent can exhibit pathogenic activity during pregnancy, in violation of the endocrine function of the ovaries.
Decreased immunity. Inflammation of the urogenital tract occurs more often in women with diseases that reduce immunity, and against the background of taking immunosuppressive drugs (in the treatment of oncopathology) .
Vaginal dysbacteriosis. Violation normal microflora vagina with irrational antibiotic therapy and hormonal imbalance activates opportunistic microorganisms, including ureaplasmas.
Invasive interventions. The starting point for the development of ureaplasmosis in some cases is abortion, instrumental medical diagnostic procedures (hysteroscopy, urethro- and cystoscopy, surgical methods treatment of cervical erosion, etc.).
Frequent change of sexual partners. The bacterium is activated in association with other STI pathogens that enter the genitals of a woman during unprotected sex with casual partners.

Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis of uroplasmosis in women is based on the adhesive-invasive and enzyme-forming properties of the microorganism. When it enters the mucous membrane of the genitourinary organs, the bacterium attaches to the cell membrane of the cylindrical epithelium, merges with it and penetrates into the cytoplasm, where it reproduces. The microorganism produces a special enzyme that breaks down immunoglobulin A, thus reducing the immune response to infection. With an asymptomatic course, local inflammatory and destructive changes are poorly expressed. An increase in the pathogenic activity of the pathogen under the influence of provoking factors leads to the development of inflammation - a vascular reaction, an increase in tissue permeability, destruction epithelial cells.

Classification

The main selection criteria clinical forms ureaplasmosis in women are the nature of the course and the severity of pathological manifestations. In particular, specialists in the field of gynecology distinguish between:

Carriage of ureaplasmas. In most women, during the examination of which this microorganism is detected, there are no signs of inflammatory processes.
Acute ureaplasmosis. It is observed extremely rarely, accompanied by clinically pronounced signs of damage to the genitourinary organs and general intoxication.
Chronic ureaplasmosis. signs acute inflammation are absent or appear periodically in the presence of provoking factors, reproductive function disorders and chronic inflammation organs of the urogenital tract.

Symptoms of ureaplasmosis in women

In 70-80% of cases, any clinical manifestations, indicating infection of the body with ureaplasmas, are absent. The disease has no specific symptoms and during periods of exacerbation it manifests itself with signs characteristic of inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system. A woman may complain of discomfort, cramps, burning, pain when urinating. The volume of transparent vaginal discharge slightly increases. With the ascending development of infection with damage to the internal reproductive organs, aching or pulling pains in the lower abdomen may disturb. In acute course and during periods of exacerbations, the temperature rises to subfebrile numbers, the patient notes weakness, fatigue, and decreased performance. Chronic ureaplasmosis may be indicated by treatment-resistant urethritis, vaginitis, endocervicitis, adnexitis, inability to become pregnant, spontaneous termination or pathological course of pregnancy.

Complications

With a long course, ureaplasmosis in women is complicated by chronic inflammatory processes in the uterus and appendages, which lead to infertility, miscarriages and premature births. The situation is aggravated by the infection of the partner, who, against the background of the disease, may develop male infertility. In some cases, inflammation, vascular and autoimmune processes in the endometrium cause primary placental and secondary fetoplacental insufficiency with a violation of the normal development of the fetus, the risk of anomalies and increased perinatal morbidity. Since pregnancy is a provoking factor for the activation of the microorganism, and treatment infectious disease provides for the appointment of drugs that can affect the fetus, in reproductive planning it is important to identify the pathogen in a timely manner.

Diagnostics

The data of vaginal examination, bimanual examination and the clinical picture of the disease are nonspecific and, as a rule, indicate the presence of an inflammatory process. Therefore, a key role in the diagnosis of ureaplasmosis in women is played by special methods studies to detect the pathogen:

Tank. culture for ureaplasma. When sowing biomaterial (excretions, smears) on a nutrient medium, colonies of ureaplasmas are detected, after which their sensitivity to antibacterial drugs is determined.
PCR. Using the polymerase chain reaction, the genetic material of the pathogen can be detected in the patient's biomaterial within a day.
Serological study. In the course of immunofluorescent analysis (ELISA) and direct fluorescence (DIF), antibodies to bacteria are detected in the woman's blood, and their titer is determined.

At differential diagnosis it is necessary to exclude infection with other pathogens - chlamydia, Trichomonas, gonococci, mycoplasmas, etc. The basis for the diagnosis of ureaplasmosis is the presence of inflammatory processes in the urogenital organs of a woman in the absence of any other STI pathogens, except for ureaplasmas. Along with the gynecologist, a urologist is involved in counseling the patient.

Treatment of ureaplasmosis in women

The key objectives of therapy for ureaplasma infection are to reduce inflammation, restore immunity and normal vaginal microflora. Patients with clinical signs ureaplasmosis are recommended:

Etiotropic antibiotic therapy. When choosing a drug, it is necessary to take into account the sensitivity of the pathogen. Usually prescribed 1-2-week course of tetracyclines, macrolides, fluoroquinolones.
Sanitation of the vagina. Administration of antibiotic suppositories and antifungal drug complements antibiotic treatment.
Immunotherapy. To restore immunity, immunomodulating and immunostimulating agents, including those of plant origin, are indicated.
Normalization of vaginal microbiocenosis. The use of probiotics locally and orally allows you to restore the vaginal microflora, which inhibits the pathological activity of ureaplasmas.
Enzyme preparations. Enzymes have an anti-inflammatory effect and enhance the processes of tissue regeneration.
vitamin therapy. For the general purpose of complex treatment ureaplasmosis in women use multivitamin and vitamin-mineral complexes.

It is important to note that indications for the appointment of etiotropic anti-ureaplasma treatment are limited. As a rule, antibiotics are used when ureaplasmas are detected in patients with treatment-resistant chronic inflammatory processes and reproductive disorders in the absence of other STI pathogens. Also, an antibacterial course is recommended for ureaplasma carriers who are planning a pregnancy.

Forecast and prevention

The prognosis of ureaplasmosis in women is favorable. Etiotropic treatment allows you to completely get rid of the bacteria, however, due to the lack of passive immunity and the high prevalence of the pathogen, re-infection is possible. Since ureaplasma is a conditionally pathogenic microorganism, a rational sleep and rest regimen, seasonal maintenance of immunity, reasonable prescription of invasive methods for diagnosing and treating diseases of the female genital area, and the use of barrier contraception are important for the prevention of inflammation. To prevent pathological activation of the pathogen during a planned pregnancy, women with Ureaplasma carriers are recommended prophylactic antibiotic therapy.