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Mycoplasma infection: detection of mycoplasmas
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
Mycoplasmas are normally absent from the test material.
Mycoplasmas are considered opportunistic microorganisms. They persist and parasitize on the membranes of epithelial cells and can be localized both extra- and intracellularly. There are about 11 known species of mycoplasmas for which humans are natural hosts. Of these , M. hominis, M. pneumoniae, M. genitalium, M.fermentas, and U. urealyticum are of clinical significance.
The PCR method directly detects mycoplasma DNA in the material being examined. The best material for PCR to detect mycoplasmas in pulmonary diseases is the fluid obtained during bronchial lavage. In urinary tract diseases, urine, discharge from the urethra, vagina, cervical canal, and prostate juice are examined. U. urealyticum is most often detected in urogenital infections - in 20-50% of cases, M.hominis - in 10-25%.
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