Mycoplasma hominis infection

Micoplasma hominis infection
Classification and external resources
Specialty
ICD-10	P23.6, A63.8, A49.3
eMedicine	med/2340
Patient UK	Mycoplasma hominis infection
MeSH	D016869

Micoplasma hominis infection is caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma hominis. Micoplasma hominis infection is spread through vaginal intercourse, oral-to-genital contact, and vertically from mother to her infant in utero or by the colonization by the bacteria as the baby descends through the birth canal or by nosocomial acquisition through transplanted tissues. The presence of genital M. hominis infection is related to sexual practices behavior and income level but not ethnicity. The M. hominis bacteria is more common in African Americans than in Caucasians, but it is not determined if this is racial difference or socioeconomic status. It is not present in the normal vaginal microbiota. It can also be present in bacterial vaginosis.

Signs and symptoms

pyelonephritis

Those with urogenital or extragenital infections caused by M. homonis have symptoms similar to other sexually transmitted infections and its presence cannot be determined by its symptoms. Unfortunately, some clinicians are not completely familiar with Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma species as sexually transmitted diseases. There is also a lack of testing facilities that can culture or use PCR testing to diagnose this infection. This infection is sometimes identified as 'last resort" after all other infections or diseases are ruled out. This is especially true if antibiotic treatment with medications are ineffective.The following effects and symptoms can be caused by Mycoplasma hominis:

• pyelonephritis
• cystitis
• pelvic inflammatory disease
• endometritis
• chorioamnionitis
• infectious arthritis
• surgical and nonsurgical wound infections
• bacteremia
• pneumonia
• meningitis
• salpingitis
• urethritis
• septic arthritis
• cervicitis
• PID

Mycoplasma hominis often is present in polymicrobial infections, When present in patients with some of these conditions being one of several organisms may be present causing the infection.

Neonatal infection

Neonates, especially if preterm, are susceptible to Mycoplama infections organisms through vertical transmission or colonization through passing the birth canal or in utero. If the bacteria is present in the bloodstream it can access the central nervous system. If Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma organisms are specifically sampled and cultured, they are of etiologic significance in neonatal lung disease, bacteremia, and meningitis. There are no characteristic signs and symptoms that can determine the type of pathogen present. Subtle manifestations, such as temperature instability, blood pressure fluctuations, heart rate, and respiratory efforts, may be the only clues that an infection is present. Clinicians can consider Mycoplasma species if signs and symptoms of infection are present and if the infant does not improve with administration of beta-lactam medications. Deaths have occurred in neonates with septicemia and meningitis caused by Mycoplasma hominis. In some studies, the bacteria became undetectable cerebrospanal fluid (CSF) without treatment.

Prevention

If symptomatic, testing is recommended. The risk of contracting Micoplasma infection can be reduced by the following:

• Using barrier methods such as condoms
• Seeking medical attention if you are experiencing symptoms suggesting a sexually transmitted infection.
• Seeking medical attention after learning that a current or former sex partner has, or might have had a sexually transmitted infection.
• Getting a STI history from your current partner and insisting they be tested and treated before intercourse.
• Avoiding vaginal activity, particularly intercourse, after the end of a pregnancy (delivery, miscarriage, or abortion) or certain gynecological procedures, to ensure that the cervix closes.
• Abstinence

Treatment

Mycoplasmas have a triple-layered membrane and lack a cell wall. Commonly used antibiotics are generally ineffective because their efficacy is due to their ability to inhibit cell wall synthesis. Micoplasmas are not affected by penicillins and other antibiotics that act on the cell wall. The growth of micoplasmas in their host is inhibited by other broad-spectrum antibiotics. These broad-spectrum antibiotics inhibit the multiplication of the mycoplasma but does not kill them. Tetracyclines, macrolides, erythromycin, macrolides, ketolides, quinolones are used to treat mycoplasma infections. In addition to the penicillins, mycoplasmas are resistant to rifampicin. Mycoplasmas may be difficult to eradicate from human or animal hosts or from cell cultures by antibiotic treatment because of resistance to the antibiotic, or because it does not kill the mycoplasma cell. Mycoplasma cells are able to invade the cells of their hosts.