NAME: Ureaplasma urealyticum
SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Nongonococcal urethritis, NGU; non specific urethritis, NSU
CHARACTERISTICS: Family Mycoplasmataceae; pleomorphic organisms that may appear as coccoid bodies, filaments and large multinucleoid forms; diameter 0.3 - 0.8 µm; lack cell wall but are bounded by a single triple-layered membrane; production of urease; 14 serotypes to date; filterable through 0.45 µm filter
PATHOGENICITY: Most common cause of nongonococcal and nonchlamydial urethritis; characterized by urethral discharge, dysuria and meatal swelling: can cause chorioamnionitis and low birth weight; thought to be associated with pyelonephritis, Reiter's disease, spontaneous abortion; associated with congenital pneumonia and bacteremia in low weight infants with infection; associated with septic arthritis, subcutaneous abscess and chronic urethrocystits in immunocompromised; usually asymptomatic
EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide; main reservoir of human strains is the genital tract of sexually active men and women; positive culture in majority of sexually active adults
HOST RANGE: Humans
INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Primarily by sexual contact
INCUBATION PERIOD: Possibly 7-14 days or longer
COMMUNICABILITY: Not known; common for relapses to occur
RESERVOIR: Humans
ZOONOSIS: None
VECTORS: None
DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Sensitive to tetracycline, spectinomycin, quinolones
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to 70% ethanol, 1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% glutaraldehyde
PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Sensitive to heat
SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Sensitive to drying
SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms; confirm by bacterial isolation and serology
FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Administer appropriate drug therapy
IMMUNIZATION: None available
PROPHYLAXIS: None available
LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: None reported to date
SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Genital tract specimens
PRIMARY HAZARDS: Accidental parenteral inoculation
SPECIAL HAZARDS: None
CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices and containment equipment for all activities involving the bacteria or potentially contaminated tissues or body fluids
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when skin contact with infectious materials is unavoidable
OTHER PRECAUTIONS: None
SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wearing protective clothing gently cover the spill with absorbent paper towel and apply 1% sodium hypochlorite starting at the perimeter and working towards the center; allow sufficient contact time (30 min) before clean up
DISPOSAL: Decontaminate all wastes before disposal; steam sterilization, chemical disinfection, incineration
STORAGE: In sealed containers that are appropriately labelled
Date prepared: March, 2001
Prepared by: Office of Laboratory Security, PHAC
Although the information, opinions and recommendations contained in this Material Safety Data Sheet are compiled from sources believed to be reliable, we accept no responsibility for the accuracy, sufficiency, or reliability or for any loss or injury resulting from the use of the information. Newly discovered hazards are frequent and this information may not be completely up to date.
Copyright ©
Health Canada, 2001