Mycoplasma culture

There are a number of diseases that may not manifest themselves for a long time, but every day they weaken the human body more and more and lead to serious consequences. One of these diseases is mycoplasma infection, which usually manifests itself already when it has managed to cause significant harm to health. This problem can only be confirmed or ruled out by culture for mycoplasmas.

What is mycoplasma culture?

Mycoplasma culture is a test that helps determine the presence/absence of mycoplasmal bacteria in the body. This analysis is carried out in the laboratory, sowing biological material on special cell-free nutrient media.

The analysis can determine not only the presence of mycoplasma bacteria, but also many other infections, if they are present in the body. Due to the active reproduction of mycoplasmal bacteria, health problems begin, namely: the risk of developing pyelonephritis, infertility in men and women, miscarriage during pregnancy.

Man is the host of at least 16 types of mycoplasmas: 5 types of mycoplasmas have the greatest clinical significance, of which 4 species show tropism for the epithelium of the urogenital tract and play a role in the development of inflammatory processes.

Distinctive features of mycoplasma are: small particle sizes, close to those of large viruses, the absence of cell walls, cell polymorphism, and the fact that the growth of mycoplasmas is inhibited by tetracyclines and macrolides; Mycoplasmas are resistant to β-lactam antibiotics that inhibit cell wall synthesis.

There are about 200 types of mycoplasmal bacteria, but most of them are harmless. However, there are some types of bacteria to worry about: Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Mycoplasma genitalium; Mycoplasma of man; Ureaplasma urealyticum; Ureaplasma minor.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes lung infections. About a third of those infected develop a mild form of pneumonia, the so-called “ascending pneumonia”. Most people, especially children, develop tracheobronchitis, infection occurs by airborne droplets from the patient.

Mycoplasma genitalium is a representative of unconditional pathogens, refers to sexually transmitted infections, and is mandatory for exclusion in inflammatory diseases of the urogenital tract. Shown, that M. genitalium occurs in 13,6% of men who report symptoms of urethritis (in 88% of cases it occurs as the only pathogen), and in women with symptoms of urethritis and / or cervicitis, M. genitalium is found in 12,3% of cases (in 93,7% of cases it occurs as the only stimulus).

bacteria Mycoplasma are opportunistic pathogens and in the urinary tract and genitals about half of all women (and a smaller number of men). They rarely cause disease and only clinically significant amounts of this pathogen can cause infection, especially in a weakened immune system.

Ureaplasma urealyticum и Ureaplasma often found in healthy women in the cervix or vagina, and in men in the urethra. They usually don’t cause any problems. The only concern is transmission to the child during childbirth.

If any of these five bacteria is found on the test results sheet, it is urgent to discuss effective treatment with the doctor. Prompt antibiotic therapy will help prevent future health problems.

When should I do mycoplasma cultures?

It is optimal to do sowing on mycoplasmas on time, but this is extremely difficult, as it has already been said, symptoms may be absent or not appear for a long time. The main thing to pay attention to:

• pain when urinating;
• stomach ache;
• pain, odor, or vaginal discharge;
• sore throat;
• cough;
• headache;
• painful sensations during intercourse;
• bleeding from the vagina after intercourse.

If you have found one or more symptoms, then you must first contact a general practitioner, then a urologist / gynecologist.

How is the procedure?

The procedure is carried out in the doctor’s office. It is proposed to carry out the manipulation in one of the ways – a smear / scraping or urine collection (can be done at home). It should be remembered that no anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics should be used before the procedure, as they can reduce the number of bacteria.

Before the analysis, you should refrain from sexual intercourse for several days. No need to be more careful than usual to carry out hygiene. Doctors advise collecting morning urine for analysis or a few hours after the first urination.

The analyzes are sent to the laboratory, and in a few days you get the result. If bacteria are found in you, it is necessary to start appropriate treatment as soon as possible, which may include antibiotics from the group of fluoroquinolones, macrolides, tetracyclines. If you were infected during pregnancy, your newborn baby may also need antibiotic therapy.

Efficacy of the procedure

The effectiveness of sowing on mycoplasmas has been proven by many doctors and patients. In addition, this is the only way to detect an infection that does not manifest itself in any way. Prolonged stay of bacteria in the body can lead to diseases of the kidneys, ovaries, and pneumonia.

Mycoplasmas can be a problem for men and women of childbearing age. Mycoplasmosis contributes to the development of various diseases of the reproductive system, which affects further reproduction. It is important to pay attention to the first signs of the presence of infection in the body. Infection during pregnancy increases the risk of infection of the child if the expectant mother is a carrier of mycoplasma bacteria. In many cases, bacteria provoke complications in pregnant women, leading to miscarriages or miscarriages.

Going to the doctor and timely treatment will help eliminate the problem, and maintaining a proper healthy lifestyle will eradicate it forever. Sowing on mycoplasmas is currently one of the easiest options for detecting the pathogen.

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