Ureaplasma parvum (ureaplasma parvum) is one of the types of microorganisms belonging to the mycoplasma family. At the present stage of development of medical science, mycoplasmas are considered to be conditionally pathogenic bacteria.
All mycoplasmas are slightly larger than viruses and slightly smaller than unicellular bacteria. The fundamental difference between ureaplasmas and other mycoplasmas is the lack of their own cell membrane and the ability to cleave urine. Due to the peculiarities of its structure, ureaplasmas cannot independently exist in the external environment, therefore they adapted to parasitize on the surfaces of membranes and inside the cells of the mucous membranes of the human body. Previously, scientists identified two subspecies of ureaplasma: Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum. Now it is customary to consider them different species.
In scientific circles, there is still a lively debate about the pathogenic properties of these bacteria. If earlier it was hypothesized that bacteria of the species Ureaplasma urealyticum cause urethritis in men, and the species Ureaplasma parvum causes diseases of the female genitourinary system and is transmitted to newborns, today these data are not confirmed by clinical practice.
In analyzes of healthy people, both types of bacteria are found in a certain amount. Reliable information that Ureaplasma urealyticum with a decrease in immunity can cause the development of ureaplasmosis. According to statistics, 60% of diseases of the genitourinary system complicate ureaplasmosis. For example, infection with chlamydia, trichomonads, gonococci disrupts local immunity, which also leads to increased reproduction of ureaplasmas.
Most often, ureaplasmas attach to epithelial cells of the genitourinary system of adults and have not been active for decades. In favorable conditions, multiplying intensely, Ureaplasma urealyticum causes inflammation of the bladder, urethra (urethra), prostatitis, vaginitis, endometritis. Sometimes they parasitize on sperm (this can cause a decrease in motor activity and death of sperm). Ureaplasmas can also cause damage to the respiratory system in infants infected from the mother during childbirth.
Ureaplasma parvum - what is it?
As already mentioned, ureaplasmas are conditionally pathogenic bacteria. That is, constantly living on the mucous membranes, Ureaplasma parvum does not manifest itself in any way - their reproduction is constrained by the immune system of a healthy body. Unlike Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum are not considered pathogens. When these bacteria are detected in the analyzes, treatment is not always shown. Many people do not understand why doctors do not want to prescribe a course of antibiotics if they are found in Ureaplasma parvum tests. The fact is that the drugs used to kill these bacteria are very poorly tolerated by the human body and in some cases can cause irreparable harm to health.
Ureaplasma parvum treatment
For the diagnosis of ureaplasmosis, bacterial culture and PCR are used.
The decision to prescribe drugs should be made by the doctor on the basis of a thorough study of the patient's complaints and test results.
Only if the number found in a smear of Ureaplasma parvum is significantly higher than normal, and the symptoms of the disease indicate ureaplasmosis, a comprehensive treatment of both sexual partners is indicated.
The duration of the course of antibiotics is 2 weeks. Be sure to follow a diet. In parallel, instillations into the urethra are prescribed. The use of immunomodulators is necessary. After a course of antibiotics, it is necessary to prescribe drugs that restore the normal microflora (bifidobacteria and lactobacilli) and hepatoprotectors. Men (with prostatitis) are prescribed prostate massage.
It is extremely important to strictly follow all the doctor’s instructions and in no case to self-medicate. The drugs "Erythromycin", "Tetracycline" and others, prescribed for ureaplasmosis, are not only highly toxic and cause a number of side effects in patients. The consequence of their improper use may be the acquisition by the ureaplasma of immunity to antibiotics, which will significantly complicate the course of further treatment.