MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF UREAPLASMA SP. ISOLATED FROM PATIENTS WITH SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS IN SELECTED CENTERS NIGERIA

Abstract

Background: Urea plasma species, the main human ureolytic pathogens, usually implicated in opportunistic infections. This study was aimed at comparing the sensitivity of the culture method and PCR in identifying Urea plasma species; and to evaluate the sensitivity of PCR in distinguishing Urea plasma urealyticum and Urea plasma parvum in clinical samples using a newly designed primer from our laboratory. Methods: Subjects included were both male and female patients attending STD reference centers (Lagos University Teaching Hospital and Jos University Teaching Hospital consisting of both male and female. A total of 119 patients (32 male, 87 female) who have been infertile for at least two years or those that present manifestations or reports of infertility, urethritis, spontaneous abortion, pelvic inflammatory diseases, preterm, low birth weight and neonatal pneumonia were included in this study. For the control, 117 asymptomatic male and female (w/o history or clinical symptoms of infertility) were recruited. Results: The PCR assay showed more sensitivity and specificity in the identification of Urea plasma species than culture. Of the 119 patients, 26 (21.85%) were positive for U. urealyticum, while 49 (41.18%) were positive for U. parvum and 19 (15.97%) for both organisms. Of the 117 control specimens, 15 (12.82%) were positive for U. urealyticum, while 20 (17.09%) for U. parvum and 3 (2.56%) for both organisms. Conclusion: PCR assay showed more sensitivity and specificity in the identification of Urea plasma species than culture Application of modern molecular techniques should be encouraged for the study of Urea plasma sp and other related fastidious organisms in Nigeria.