Ureaplasma: pathogen or passenger in neonatal meningitis?

Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2010 Jan;29(1):60-4. doi: 10.1097/INF.0b013e3181b21016.

Abstract

The significance of Ureaplasma species as pathogens in neonatal meningitis remains contentious. Using an illustrative case of a premature infant with Ureaplasma parvum meningitis, confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid cultures and both specific and 16s rDNA polymerase chain reaction, we discuss the epidemiology of Ureaplasma species, the difficulties involved in diagnosis and establishing pathogenicity, and the challenges in defining appropriate treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / microbiology
  • DNA, Bacterial / chemistry
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal / chemistry
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / diagnosis*
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / epidemiology
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / microbiology*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Ureaplasma / genetics
  • Ureaplasma / isolation & purification*
  • Ureaplasma / pathogenicity
  • Ureaplasma Infections / diagnosis*
  • Ureaplasma Infections / drug therapy
  • Ureaplasma Infections / epidemiology
  • Ureaplasma Infections / microbiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • DNA, Ribosomal
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S