Mycoplasma: consequences. Mycoplasma: an intermediate life form. Is mycoplasmosis dangerous for humans?

Mycoplasmosis is the conventional name for the inflammatory process in the genitourinary organs in the case when a laboratory examination reveals one (or more) of the pathogens: M. hominis, M. genitalium, M. fermentans in the absence of other pathogenic pathogens. L. Dienes and G. Edsall in In 1937, they first described genital mycoplasmas identified from the abscess of the large gland of the vaginal vestibule. In 1942, L. Dienes and W. Smith discovered mycoplasmas in the cervical canal of a healthy woman and in the urethra of a man with nongonoccal urethritis, and W. Beveridge (1946) suggested that mycoplasmas are the causative agents of most nongonococcal urethritis.
In 1981, in the report to the WHO scientific group No. 660, “Nongonococcal urethritis and other selected sexually transmitted diseases of public importance,” M. hominis was classified as a sexually transmitted infection. and is recognized as the causative agent of non-gonococcal urethritis in men.
In 1986, the Committee of Experts of the World Health Organization in the Sixth Report “Venereal infections and treponematoses” included M.hominis in the classification of pathogens of sexually transmitted diseases. However, mycoplasmosis was not included in the International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision and was not included in the subsequent International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision of 1998.


M.pneumoniae (causes respiratory mycoplasmosis), M.arthritidis (associated with joint diseases - arthritis) and a group of genital mycoplasmas M.hominis, M.genitalium, M.fermentans and U.urealyticum, which cause damage, are considered pathogenic (harmful) for humans genitourinary organs.

Мycoplasma hominis

It is capable of adsorbing on various cells, such as: Neisseria gonorrheae, human and animal cells in vitro, as well as on human sperm. Currently, 7 serotypes of M.hominis are known.

Mycoplasma genitalium

The cells of this mycoplasma have a terminal, pumpkin-like organelle. With the help of this structure, mycoplasma cells communicate with red blood cells and epithelial cells. Using PCR, M. genitalium was detected not only in the urogenital tract, but also in throat washes. M. genitalium is the most famous small bacterium on earth.

Mycoplasma fermentans

It ferments glucose and arginine and has unique biological properties. It adsorbs human IgG, resulting in the formation of autoantibodies (anti-IgG) to the aggregated immunoglobulin, i.e. rheumatoid factor, which can then attach complement components and IgM. Immune complexes circulate, become fixed in tissues and induce immunopathological reactions.

Mycoplasmas
person

Primary localization

Pathogenicity to humans

Respiratory
tract

Urogenital
tract

Acholeplasma laidlawii
Mycoplasma amphoriforme
Mycoplasma arthritidis
Mycoplasma buccale
Mycoplasma faucium
Mycoplasma fermentans
Mycoplasma genitalium
Mycoplasma lipophilum
Mycoplasma orale
Mycoplasma penetrans
Mycoplasma pirum
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Mycoplasma primatum
Mycoplasma salivarium
Mycoplasma spermatophilum
Ureaplasma parvum
Ureaplasma urealyticum

What is Mycoplasma species (spp).

A note about the definition of Mycoplasma species (sp). In many PCR laboratories in Russia, genus-specific DNA is determined - i.e. a section of DNA that is characteristic of all human mycoplasmas (both genital and respiratory) and is designated as Mycoplasma sp. Its detection indicates the presence of one or more types of mycoplasmas in the focus from which the analysis was taken. From a practical point of view, in this case, if the suspected cause of inflammatory process are mycoplasmas, it is necessary to re-type, since the sensitivity to antibiotics of mycoplasmas is different, or to carry out a course of therapy with several groups of antibiotics

How can you become infected with mycoplasmas?

The main route of infection with genital mycoplasmas is sexual contact, infection is possible through oral-genital contact. The fetus and newborns can become infected with mycoplasmas through an infected placenta and during childbirth when passing through the birth canal. Contact and household infection through household items, medical instruments, underwear is controversial and documented currently not proven. Incubation period averages 2-3 weeks

What diseases are caused by mycoplasmas?

Mycoplasmas cause inflammatory processes in the urogenital tract. But for the occurrence and development of the disease, certain conditions in the human body are necessary. It has been established that favorable factors for infection with mycoplasmas are bacterial vaginosis in women and chronic prostatitis in men. The role of mycoplasmas in the following pathological conditions has been proven:

Mycoplasma

Diseases

How are diseases associated with mycoplasmas treated?

Indications for treatment

Undoubtedly, the direct indication for treatment is the identification of diseases associated with mycoplasmas. A separate issue is the advisability of prescribing treatment for mycoplasma-positive individuals. Indications for treatment for mycoplasma positivity are:

  • The presence of a disease associated with mycoplasmas in a regular sexual partner (repeated reinfection of the sexual partner)
  • Anticipated change of sexual partner (epidemiological indications)
  • Planning pregnancy in the near future (risk of complications during pregnancy and pathology of the fetus and newborn)

Treatment methods

A proven method of treating diseases associated with mycoplasmas and mycoplasma positivity is antibiotic therapy. Antibiotics of two groups are mainly used: doxycycline and quinolones (fluorine and difluorine). The effectiveness of the use of immunostimulants, enzyme preparations, local and physiotherapeutic treatment, and homeopathic remedies is currently unproven.

Where can I get more information?

  • The role of Mycoplasma genitalium in non-gonococcal urethritis (Full text)
  • Role of Mycoplasma genitalium and Ureaplasma urealyticum in Acute and Chronic Nongonococcal Urethritis (Full text)
  • (Full text)
  • The role of mycoplasma infection in obstetrics and gynecology (Full text)
  • (Full text)

Over the past few decades, medicine has developed many new methods for diagnosing infectious diseases, as well as methods for their treatment. This also applies to those infections that are sexually transmitted and lead to serious health problems. One of the pathogenic microbes that lead to the development of STDs is mycoplasma, the types of which will be discussed in this article. More than two hundred varieties of these microorganisms live in nature, but only four of them provoke the development of infection. These bacteria were first discovered during the study of pleuropneumonia in cattle. They cause the development of a disease such as mycoplasmosis.

Characteristics and description of the problem

Mycoplasma, the types of which will be discussed below, is a microorganism that does not have a cell wall and lives on plants, as well as in animals and humans, feeding on cholesterol. In a group of the same species there are both large and small cells, which can have a spherical, filamentous, rod-shaped or branching structure. This bacterium is the smallest of all known single-celled organisms.

These microbes grow on media that contain lipoprotein. They use this substance as a food source. At the initial stage of their growth, mycoplasmas require mucin, RNA and DNA. Bacteria are enzymatically inert and enzymatically active. The latter ferment various carbohydrates and dissolve human red blood cells.

After a person has suffered an infection, agglutinating, precipitating, and complement-fixing antibodies are formed in his body.

Classification

There are several types of mycoplasmas:

  1. Those microorganisms that are unable to cause the development of a pathological process when infecting a person.
  2. Pathogenic bacteria that cause mycoplasmosis.
  3. Microorganisms that lead to the development of a latent infection, the manifestation of which is suppressed by the human immune system.

Based on the above classification, diseases such as fresh, acute and subacute, sluggish and chronic mycoplasmosis, as well as asymptomatic carriage are distinguished.

Today, there are about two hundred varieties of these bacteria; only sixteen of them can live in the human body: six on the epithelium of the genital organs and urinary tract (urogenital mycoplasma), ten on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and in the pharynx. Moreover, only four types of microbes provoke the development of a disease such as mycoplasmosis when exposed to certain unfavorable factors. This pathology causes serious health problems.

Mycoplasma: types and differences

Microbes attach to the cells of the mucous membranes of the genitourinary, respiratory and intestinal tracts, as well as to sperm, fibroblasts, tracheal epithelium, erythrocytes and macrophages.

In humans, four types of microbes under certain conditions can cause the development of disease:

  1. Mycoplasma pneumonia affects the human respiratory system, causing inflammation in the throat, bronchi and lungs.
  2. Ureaplasma urealyticum provokes the development of ureaplasmosis.
  3. Mycoplasmahominis.
  4. Mycoplasmagenitalium act as causative agents of urogenital mycoplasmosis, which in modern medicine occupies a significant place among STDs.

All these microorganisms are similar in that they die in the external environment, and therefore can only exist inside the human body. In this case, the impetus for the development of the disease is a violation of the immune system. In this case, the bacteria are activated and begin to actively multiply.

Mycoplasmahominis is found in 25% of newborn girls; in boys, the bacterium is detected less frequently. In most cases, infected children experience self-healing over time; this phenomenon is most often characteristic of boys. This microorganism is found in half of sexually mature women age. Mycoplasmagenitalium less common.

Respiratory mycoplasmosis

Mycoplasma pneumonia can affect the upper and lower respiratory system. The latent period for the development of the disease is about thirty days. If the upper respiratory tract is affected, a person may develop rhinitis, and if the lower respiratory tract is affected, pneumonia may develop, which will be accompanied by intoxication of the entire body. This pneumonia is resistant to many antibacterial drugs; it often causes the development of pneumosclerosis and bronchiectasis. The disease is accompanied by chills and increased body temperature.

Microorganisms provoke the development of mycoplasma acute respiratory infections, in which pharyngitis and nasopharyngitis develop, the person’s state of health is satisfactory, and body temperature does not increase.

Mycoplasmosis of the genitourinary system

Mycoplasma (species Mycoplasmahominis And Mycoplasmagenitalium) provokes the formation various Usually, the infection develops acutely, and in the absence of therapy it becomes chronic, which is accompanied by frequent relapses. The latent period lasts about two weeks. Many people ask the question: “Mycoplasma Hominis - what is it?” If such a bacterium is detected in the tests, this may indicate that the person is developing an STD. This is usually associated with disruption of the hormonal and immune systems, hypothermia, pregnancy and other negative factors. Such a pathogenic organism causes the development of urethritis, vaginitis, prostatitis, pyelonephritis, inflammation of the uterus and its appendages, as well as other pathologies of the genitourinary system. If a person is infected with mycoplasma, the consequences can be serious, especially for men, since these microorganisms provoke the death of sperm, which causes infertility.

Causes of disease development

Currently, medicine does not know how pathogenic microorganisms attach to the cells of the mucous membranes. Although this connection is strong, the bacterium does not completely attach to mucous tissues, like many viruses. The strong connection is determined by the similarity of the structure of its cell membranes with the membranes of the human body. Therefore, mycoplasma (the types of which we already know) is protected from the influence of the host’s immunity. In the external environment, bacteria die, so human infection occurs through sexual contact or during labor from an infected woman. In the latter case, a newborn child, especially girls, becomes infected. Household infection is unlikely, but some doctors say that bacteria can enter the human body through contact with personal hygiene items.

The peculiarity of mycoplasmas is that they may not manifest themselves for a long time while in the human genital or respiratory tract. Under certain circumstances, microorganisms begin to actively multiply, provoking the development of many pathologies. To identify the causes of diseases, doctors always prescribe tests for hidden infections.

The risk group includes young women, people with promiscuity, people with inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system, pregnant women, and homosexuals.

Symptoms and signs of diseases caused by mycoplasmas

Typically, the disease occurs with mild symptoms (in 40% of cases) until provoking factors, such as hypothermia or stress, begin to affect the human body. Then the infection is activated and provokes the development of serious complications. Mycoplasma in women, the causes of which usually lie in unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected partner, causes the development of endometritis. This is especially true after abortion, surgery and childbirth. Women complain of heavy vaginal discharge, accompanied by constant itching and burning sensation, pain when urinating. Most often, mycoplasma in women, the symptoms and treatment of which we will consider in this article, is manifested by inflammatory processes in the uterus and its appendages, as well as in the kidneys and bladder. They develop vaginitis, urethritis, the menstrual cycle is disrupted, and discomfort occurs during sexual intercourse. Often the infection leads to the development of cystitis, gardnerellosis, salpingitis, infertility and adnexitis. Adnexitis in this case causes inflammation of the ovaries, a complication of which can be an abscess and adhesion of the ovary and fallopian tube.

Mycoplasma manifests itself in slight discomfort and pain when urinating in men. The doctor will tell you about the symptoms and treatment of this disease when diagnosing the pathology. Over time, the infection leads to the development of chronic prostatitis and inflammation of the kidneys. In medicine, a connection has been established between pathogenic microorganisms and certain types of male infertility. The doctor will tell you how to treat mycoplasma in men, because without timely treatment, the infection spreads to the prostate and testicles, causing pain in the groin area and swelling of the testicles. Therefore, it is important not to delay your visit to a medical facility for examination.

Mycoplasma and pregnancy

Currently, women often experience mycoplasma during pregnancy. Usually during this period the infection worsens due to hormonal changes and a decrease in the woman’s immunity, provoking the development of various complications.

According to statistics, pathology often leads to spontaneous termination of pregnancy and death of the embryo in the early stages. But these pathogenic microorganisms do not affect the fetus itself, since it is reliably protected by the placenta from infection. Inflammation that begins to develop on the walls of the vagina and cervix often spreads to the membranes, they begin to rupture, the water breaks and premature labor begins.

Why is mycoplasma dangerous during pregnancy? The risk of premature birth during this period increases threefold. The infection can also cause ectopic pregnancy or infertility.

If a pregnant woman is infected, she often develops endometritis after labor. Therefore, doctors recommend treatment in the early stages of pregnancy.

Mycoplasma and children

During labor, a child can become infected with mycoplasmosis from the mother while passing through the birth canal. Typically, the infection affects the bronchi and lungs, causing inflammation of the nose, pharynx, lungs and bronchi. The severity of the pathology will depend on the state of the child’s immunity. Mycoplasma in women, the causes of which can be different, does not always lead to infection of the child. In some cases, when children are infected, they spontaneously heal after some time.

But when infected, children develop inflammatory processes in the respiratory organs. Often the bacterium causes sepsis, meningitis, and conjunctivitis. Moreover, the weaker the child’s immunity, the more severe the course of the disease.

Children often become infected in preschool and school institutions. In this case, the infection is transmitted by airborne droplets. But only those children who have a weak immune system become infected, for example, after suffering a viral disease. Usually they develop bronchitis, sometimes pneumonia. In European countries, about 40% of childhood bronchitis is mycoplasma. The main symptom of the disease is a persistent cough for two weeks. In some cases, the infection affects children with bronchial asthma or asthmatic bronchitis, which causes frequent attacks.

The course of mycoplasmosis in children can be different, with frequent periods of remission and relapse. Sometimes the disease may not show symptoms. In some cases, children become only carriers of the infection, which can manifest itself during puberty even in the absence of sexual contact. It is not possible to diagnose the disease in children by examining a smear from the cervical canal or vagina.

Diagnostic measures

After studying the anamnesis, interviewing and examining the patient, the doctor first prescribes cultural diagnostic methods, which include culture for mycoplasma. It makes it possible to identify the sensitivity of the infectious agent to antibacterial drugs in order to develop effective treatment. For analysis, a swab is taken from the vagina, urethra or urethra, and in some cases urine can be used. The accuracy of this method is 100%, but results must wait about six days.

PCR is also a frequently used diagnostic method for detecting infection. This technique helps to identify bacterial DNA in a patient’s biological fluid (smear or blood). The accuracy of the results is close to 100%.

Often, the doctor will prescribe it will be informative when antibodies to mycoplasma are detected in the blood. The study is prescribed by a venereologist, gynecologist or urologist. The accuracy of the ELISA method is about 70%, results can be obtained the next day.

These diagnostic methods are prescribed in the presence of any inflammation of the genitourinary system of unknown etiology, when signs of mycoplasmosis appear, in preparation for surgery on the pelvic organs, as well as in case of frequent exacerbations of thrush. It is always recommended to get tested for mycoplasma when planning pregnancy, preparing for IVF, diagnosing the causes of infertility, or miscarriage. Usually, together with this pathology, a person is diagnosed with diseases such as herpes and trichomoniasis. The test must be taken by both sexual partners in order to eliminate the risk of re-infection.

When you consult a doctor, he will answer in detail the question of Mycoplasma Hominis - what it is. If this infection is detected in the tests, he prescribes appropriate treatment.

Pathology therapy

The doctor prescribes treatment with antibacterial drugs to which infectious agents are sensitive. In this case, antibiotics must be selected carefully in order to prevent the development of immunity in mycoplasma. Usually the disease is accompanied by other bacterial infections, so the attending physician will select the drug that affects all types of infections. The doctor will tell you in detail how and how to treat mycoplasma in men, women and children. Often several antibiotics are prescribed at once, for example, Azithromycin and Tetracycline. Medicines to strengthen the immune system, vitamin complexes, dietary supplements, and probiotics are also prescribed. Modern drugs are highly effective, the cure rate is about 95%.

Laser therapy is often used in medicine to treat the disease. This technique makes it possible to specifically destroy pathogenic microorganisms. The laser is directed to the urethra and areas where bacteria and inflammation are found. Using a laser, it is possible to relieve inflammation, increase local immunity, normalize blood circulation, and relieve pain. After such a procedure, mycoplasma in men, the symptoms and treatment of which are discussed in detail in the article, as well as in women, completely disappears. But it is important to treat both partners, otherwise re-infection is possible.

Treatment during pregnancy

Since treatment of the disease is carried out only with the use of antibacterial drugs, it is recommended to carry out treatment after the twelfth week of pregnancy in short courses, which will be safer for the woman and her unborn child. Usually, the doctor prescribes antibiotics from the macrolide group, since they are safer than other drugs. Before the twelfth week of pregnancy, treatment of the pathology cannot be carried out, since the fetal organs have not yet fully formed.

In addition, the doctor prescribes probiotics to normalize the microflora in the intestines, as well as vitamins and immunomodulators, which help reduce the treatment period. After undergoing therapy, women should be re-examined to find out whether the disease has been cured. Usually, the PCR method is prescribed for this; the analysis should be carried out only one month after the end of therapy.

Usually, if all recommendations and doctor’s prescriptions are followed, a pregnant woman is completely cured and re-infection does not occur. You cannot self-medicate; it is also not recommended to reduce or increase the dosage of medications, or start using new medications, as this can lead to the development of complications.

A woman should also inform her sexual partner about her disease so that she can undergo treatment with him to reduce the risk of re-infection in the future. Even if a man does not show signs and symptoms of pathology, it is necessary to undergo an examination.

Forecast

If mycoplasmas are detected in a timely manner, the doctor has developed an effective treatment, then the prognosis will be favorable, the patient can be completely cured. In advanced cases, treatment may take a long time. It is also necessary to take into account the development of complications and negative consequences of the disease, which negatively affect human health and life. The attending physician must monitor the patient's compliance with all recommendations and prescriptions.

Prevention

Prevention of mycoplasmosis is primarily based on the use of a condom during sexual intercourse. A person must also have one sexual partner. If you have unprotected sexual intercourse with an unfamiliar partner, it is recommended to get tested for mycoplasma, even in the absence of symptoms and signs of the disease. When planning a pregnancy, both partners must comply with preventive measures; they must be examined for hidden infections, as well as STDs. Such preventive measures help preserve the health and life of future children.

Doctors recommend, for preventive purposes, to be examined once every six months for the presence of infectious and inflammatory diseases, this is especially true for people who have promiscuous sexual intercourse.

Some scientists argue that mycoplasma in women, the symptoms and treatment of which we have discussed in detail above, do not pose a danger to human health and life, others say that the microorganism can provoke the development of serious diseases. In any case, doctors recommend periodic testing for hidden infections to prevent the occurrence of health problems.

More often, inflammation develops when the genitalium is infected with mycoplasma. However, opportunistic mycoplasma hominis, in rare cases, can lead to pathology.

Regardless of the type of bacteria, mycoplasma in women can cause:

  • Inflammatory diseases of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
  • Bacterial vaginosis, in which there is a disturbance in the composition and quantity of normal microflora and the proliferation of pathogenic and opportunistic microflora.
  • Pyelonephritis is an inflammatory disease affecting the kidneys.

These bacteria are especially dangerous during pregnancy. Mycoplasma in pregnant women can cause various pathologies. In the first two trimesters, mycoplasmosis is dangerous for the development of endometriosis and the threat of miscarriage.

In the latter, mycoplasma hominis and genitalia in women can cause premature birth, infection of the baby and the occurrence of chronic foci of infection.

As for the stronger half of humanity, mycoplasma in men can cause the development of:

  • – inflammation affecting the testicles and their appendages.
  • Inflammation of the urethra, bladder and prostate gland.
  • Pathological changes in sperm with deterioration in their quality and decreased motility.

For both men and women mycoplasma hominis capable of becoming reason the occurrence of inflammation in the joints. True, such a pathology occurs quite rarely and, as a rule, only in cases of advanced infection. The incidence of mycoplasma, especially the genitalium genus, in inflammation of the urogenital tract ranges from 13 to 37%. Often this bacterium is identified together with ureaplasma, fungi of the genus Candida, and sometimes with the herpes virus.

In men and women, mycoplasmosis manifests itself almost identically: itching, burning during urination, discharge with...

There are no special symptoms characteristic only of this disease. For testing in men, a urethral swab, urine, and semen or blood are used. Women's blood is also taken for analysis, and in addition, a vaginal and cervical smear or urine is taken.

Mycoplasma can be detected using:

  • The PCR method is based on the determination of pathogen DNA in bacterial material. Today this is the most accurate diagnostic method. Mycoplasma genitalium can only be reliably detected with its help.
  • An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on the presence of immunoglobulins to the bacterium in the blood. With its help, mycoplasma hominis or genitalium can be detected in 80% of cases.
  • , which is usually used as an additional method to determine bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

If you have been diagnosed with Mycoplasma hominis, this does not mean you have the disease. Everything will depend on the amount of this bacterium in the tests.

Safe concentration of Mycoplasma hominis in the urogenital tract

Should not exceed 104 CFU/ml. If the result of the analysis is not more than this value, then in the absence of complaints and alarming symptoms, treatment is not carried out. However, the presence of genital mycoplasma in tests is always a reason for prescribing antibiotics. The treatment regimen is selected by the doctor individually, depending on the test results. But it definitely includes one or two antibiotics.

Usually this:

  • Tetracycline antibiotics such as Doxycycline.
  • Macrolides are usually Azithromycin or Josamycin.
  • Fluoroquinolones, mainly Ofloxacin or Ciprofloxacin.
  • Antifungal agents, for example Clotrimazole or Fluconazole, which are included in the regimen when fungi are detected in tests.
  • Antimicrobial drugs, usually Metronidazole, which is necessary when, in addition to mycoplasma, other pathogens are detected in the tests.

Additionally, the doctor may prescribe medications that normalize the immune system, restore the normal bacterial flora of the urogenital tract, vitamins, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agents. No matter what mycoplasma, hominis or genitalium, became reason diseases, both partners must undergo treatment. Otherwise, there remains a high risk of new infection. The results of therapy are assessed by repeated tests after a month.

Prevention of mycoplasma

is no different from the prevention of other diseases that can be sexually transmitted. Despite its microscopic size and similarity to viruses, mycoplasma does not penetrate through a condom, so this means of protection can significantly reduce the risk of infection. As for drug prevention of mycoplasma infection, antiseptic solutions, for example, Miramistin or Hexicon, can be used for this purpose.

Epigen spray, which has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps maintain normal microflora of the urogenital tract, is also suitable. Unfortunately, even if you follow all preventive measures, you cannot be guaranteed to protect yourself from infection. Therefore, if symptoms of the disease appear, you should definitely visit a doctor.

If mycoplasma is detected, contact competent venereologists.

Today it is believed that feline mycoplasmosis is not dangerous for humans and that other animal species cannot serve as a source of infection. However, discussions on this matter do not subside. Some veterinarians and infectious disease doctors argue that due to mutation and high adaptability, animal mycoplasmas can pose a danger to humans. Especially if his body is weakened by other infections.

Therefore, when communicating with homeless animals or when caring for sick pets, you must take the following precautions:

  • If the animal is sick, it is necessary to promptly contact a veterinarian and get tested.
  • Change the animal's bedding regularly, as mycoplasmas can survive in it for up to 7 days.
  • Wash your hands after interacting with and caring for animals, do not touch mucous membranes with dirty hands.

Why does mycoplasmosis develop in children? What are the symptoms of mycoplasmosis in children?

25% of pregnant women are asymptomatic carriers of mycoplasmas. In the vast majority of cases, the placenta and membranes protect the fetus during pregnancy. But if the amniotic sac is damaged or during childbirth, mycoplasmas can enter the child’s body and cause infection.

Infection with mycoplasmosis in children can occur:

  • in case of infection of amniotic fluid during pregnancy;
  • if the placenta is damaged;
  • during the passage of the birth canal;
  • when communicating with sick relatives or carriers of mycoplasmas.
The entry points for infection can be:
  • conjunctiva of the eyes;
  • mucous membranes of the oral cavity and respiratory tract;
  • mucous membranes of the genital organs.
In healthy full-term infants, contact with mycoplasmas rarely leads to the development of disease. But premature babies, who suffered from chronic placental insufficiency during intrauterine development, are very sensitive to mycoplasmas due to the immaturity of the immune system.

When infected with mycoplasmas, children may develop:

How dangerous is mycoplasmosis during pregnancy?

Question: “How dangerous is mycoplasmosis during pregnancy?” causes heated discussions among gynecologists. Some argue that mycoplasmas are definitely pathogenic microorganisms that are very dangerous for pregnant women. Other experts reassure that mycoplasmas are ordinary representatives of the microflora of the genital tract, which cause disease only with a significant decrease in the local and general immunity of a woman.

Mycoplasmosis during pregnancy can cause:

  • spontaneous abortions;
  • intrauterine infection and fetal death;
  • development of congenital defects in a child;
  • postpartum sepsis in a newborn;
  • birth of low birth weight children;
  • inflammation of the uterus after childbirth.


At the same time, some gynecologists completely disagree with the statement that mycoplasmas are dangerous to the health of pregnant women. They indicate that Mycoplasma hominisfound in 15-25% of pregnant women, and complications for the fetus develop in 5-20% of them. Therefore, it is believed that mycoplasmas can harm the health of mother and child only under certain conditions:

  • in association with other pathogenic microorganisms, mainly ureaplasma;
  • with decreased immunity;
  • with massive damage to the genital organs.
Symptoms of mycoplasmosis in pregnant women

In 40% of cases, mycoplasmosis is asymptomatic and the woman has no health complaints. In other cases, with genital forms of mycoplasmosis, the following symptoms occur:

  • itching and burning when urinating;
  • pain in the lower abdomen with damage to the uterus and its appendages;
  • copious or scanty clear vaginal discharge;
  • early discharge of amniotic fluid;
  • fever during childbirth and the postpartum period.
When these symptoms appear, laboratory diagnosis of mycoplasmosis is performed. Based on its results, the doctor decides on the need to take antibiotics. When treating pregnant women for mycoplasmosis, 10-day courses of Azithromycin are used. The source of infection is sick people and asymptomatic carriers. The disease is transmitted by airborne dust. When coughing, mucus particles containing mycoplasmas fall on objects and settle on house dust, and subsequently on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Young people under 30 years of age are most often affected.
  • weakness, weakness, muscle aches are the result of poisoning with a neurotoxin secreted by mycoplasmas;
  • annoying dry cough with slight release of mucopurulent sputum, less often mixed with blood;
  • in the lungs there are dry or moist fine bubbling rales, the lesion is usually focal and one-sided;
  • the face is pale, the sclera is reddened, sometimes blood vessels are visible;
  • Some patients experience nausea and vomiting.
  • Depending on the degree of the disease and the intensity of immunity, the disease can last from 5 to 40 days. Antibiotics are used to treat respiratory forms of mycoplasmosis.

    Mycoplasmas are microorganisms that occupy an intermediate position in the medical classification between bacteria, fungi and viruses.

    Mycoplasmas are small in size (300 nm), which is why they are not visible even with a light microscope; they do not have their own cell membrane, and this brings them closer to viruses.

    Mycoplasmas are the smallest microorganisms that can live and reproduce autonomously. Mycoplasmas reproduce by division and budding. Therefore, they are sometimes considered as a transitional step from viruses to single-celled microorganisms.

    A large number of types of mycoplasmas are found in the human body, but only three types of these microorganisms are considered pathogenic for humans, that is, under certain conditions, causing disease:

    • Mycoplasma hominis
    • Mycoplasma genitalium
    • Mycoplasma pneumoniae

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    The disease can occur either when the host's immune system is weakened, or when pathogenic types of mycoplasma combine with other pathogenic microorganisms.

    A disease caused by mycoplasmas - mycoplasmosis - affects either the respiratory system, causing inflammatory diseases of the throat, bronchi of the lungs, or the genitourinary tract. In the latter case, we are dealing with urogenital (or genitourinary) mycoplasmosis, which is currently a fairly common disease among sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

    As a rule, mycoplasmas colonize the vagina, urethra and cervix in women, and the urethra and foreskin in men, causing an infectious and inflammatory process.

    In addition, it is known that in men, mycoplasmas can suppress sperm activity, and in some cases even cause their death. In addition to its “main effect,” mycoplasmas can settle in the joint fluid and cause inflammation of the joints.

    Strictly speaking, it is not the mycoplasmas themselves that are toxic to humans, but their metabolic products, which damage the walls of epithelial cells and, in addition, utilize cholesterol and fatty acids of the host cell.

    For the first time, mycoplasmas were isolated from other microbes during microscopic studies in women back in 1937, and in men later - in 1958, but the fact that they cause a certain inflammation was confirmed only in 1979.

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    It is still not fully understood how Mycoplasma hominis attaches to epithelial cells. It is known that this bond is quite strong, but complete attachment to the cell, as happens with many viruses, does not occur. A strong connection with the host is ensured by several factors: the similarity of the structure of the mycoplasma cell membrane with the membranes of the host organism, the absence of a cell wall and the small size of mycoplasmas. In addition, the introduction of mycoplasmas into the membrane of the host cells makes them more protected from the effects of the host’s immune system.

    Mycoplasmas are not resistant to the external environment—they quickly die outside the host’s body, so infection with mycoplasmas usually occurs either through sexual contact or through close household contacts.


    Infection occurs through household means through personal hygiene items (underwear, swimsuits, towels, bedding). Vertical transmission of mycoplasmosis is possible - transmission of mycoplasmosis during childbirth. Newborn girls are more often infected in this way, which is due to the characteristics of their body.

    In such cases, mycoplasmas can live in a latent form in the child’s genital tract for many years, and under certain circumstances (infection, pregnancy, abortion) manifest themselves in the form of an inflammatory process, for which, it would seem, there are no objective reasons. That is why any inflammatory disease in a woman needs to be treated, starting with finding out the reasons that caused the inflammation. To do this, our medical center conducts tests for hidden infections, which include mycoplasmas.