Microbiological research on chlamydia mycoplasma and ureaplasma. How is the treatment and bacterial culture carried out: ureaplasmosis and mycoplasmosis in women. Culture for mycoplasma: when taken after antibiotics

General information about the study

Infection does not necessarily lead to disease. The development of infection is facilitated by various immunodeficiencies (including vaginal dysbiosis with bacterial vaginosis in women or impaired production of the prostatic antimicrobial factor in men with chronic prostatitis), impaired local protection factors, as well as concomitant infections (chlamydia, gonorrhea, bacterial vaginosis, etc.). ).

The incubation period is 2-5 weeks. Clinical symptoms of ureaplasma infection may be mild or even absent (typical for women).

In men, ureaplasmas can cause inflammation of the urethra (non-gonococcal urethritis), bladder (cystitis), prostate (prostatitis), damage to the testicles (orchitis) and their appendages (epididymitis), as well as a violation of sperm composition - a decrease in mobility and sperm count, which threatens infertility ... Sometimes reactive arthritis and urolithiasis develop.

In women, ureaplasma can cause inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis), cervix (cervicitis), as well as its neoplasms. With a weakening of immunity, inflammation of the uterus (endometritis) and its appendages (adnexitis) is possible, which entails damage to the fallopian tubes and the development of adhesions in them. This contributes to ectopic pregnancy or infertility. In addition, ureaplasmas lead to cervical insufficiency, miscarriages, chorionamnionitis, the birth of children with low body weight (less than 2500 g), as well as bronchopulmonary diseases (pneumonia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia), bacteremia and meningitis in newborns.

Ureaplasma (U. species) can be considered as a cause of inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system in the event that laboratory research does not detect other pathogenic microorganisms that can cause these diseases. In this case, the method of cultivation on nutrient media (sowing) is used. In 80% of cases with ureaplasma infection, mycoplasmas, chlamydia and anaerobic flora are also detected.

What is research used for?

• To establish the cause of chronic inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system.
• For differential diagnosis of diseases with similar symptoms: chlamydia, gonorrhea, mycoplasma infection.
• To select a rational antibiotic therapy and assess its effectiveness.
• For preventive examination.

When is the study scheduled?

• If you suspect a ureaplasma infection, including after casual sexual intercourse, with symptoms of inflammation of the genitourinary system.
• When planning a pregnancy (for both spouses).
• With infertility or miscarriage.
• With an ectopic pregnancy.
• If necessary, evaluate the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy (on the 10-14th day after drug withdrawal).

Ureaplasma and mycoplasma cause ureaplasmosis and mycoplasmosis. In medical practice, they often talk about ureaplasma and mycoplasma infections. Bacteria are related, so one of the diseases shows that the probability of the second is high.

The obvious symptoms are:

• burning;
• pain during intercourse;
• violation of urination;
• vaginal discharge.

Without treatment, the disease becomes chronic and can lead to infertility.

general information

Ureaplasma and mycoplasma are bacteria that cause inflammatory diseases. Science knows 17 types of bacteria, but only five are dangerous to humans:

1. mycoplasma genitalia;
2. mycoplasma hominis;
3. mycoplasma feumonia;
4. ureaplasma urealiticum.

The last two cases will have to be treated in the same way, therefore, in medical practice, it is not customary to divide these infections into different subspecies of the disease.

Ways of infection?

Women planning a pregnancy must be tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

In a healthy person, ureaplasma and some types of mycoplasma are present on the mucous membranes, due to which they are classified as opportunistic. Inflammation begins when stress, other favorable conditions for the pathogen, provoke the growth and reproduction of bacterial colonies.

The absence of a cell wall leads to inactivity of immunocompetent organs and insufficient production of antibodies. In this regard, mycoplasma and ureaplasma most often lead to the development of chronic infection. This feature is important for treatment, as it explains the resistance of the pathogen to most antibacterial drugs. The effectiveness of a narrow spectrum of antibiotics is due to the specificity of the active substance.

Reasons for infection

Infection occurs through sexual contact with a carrier of the disease. The likelihood of damage to the body depends on the immune system. If the immune system is weak, the risk of getting sick is above 50%, but the high resistance of the body reduces the chances to 10%.

One of the ways of infection is the passage of the baby through the mother's genital tract during childbirth. Infection is possible during intrauterine development.

The household route of infection (through common dishes, personal belongings) is unlikely, since the pathogen that has left the human body quickly dies.

Occasionally, an animal becomes a carrier of the disease. The chance of getting sick appears when a person comes into contact with an infected individual, but microbiology estimates it as extremely low.

Pathogen in a healthy body

A healthy woman has:

• Ureaplasma urealyticum;
• Ureaplasma parvum;
• Mycoplasma hominis.

Mycoplasma genitalium is a pathogenic microorganism and does not normally occur in the genital tract. Carriage of a microorganism without clinical symptoms of the disease is possible.

First symptoms: what to do?

If you suspect inflammation, see your doctor. The gynecologist will take a smear for flora and material for bacteriological culture. When the diagnosis is confirmed, a course of treatment is prescribed.

Symptoms that allow suspecting mycoplasmosis in women:

• pain arising in the lower third of the abdomen during intercourse and after;
• soreness of the joints, lower back;
• itching, burning when urinating;
• vaginal discharge;
• pulling pains in the lower abdomen.

Remember, the list contains the symptoms of not only myco-, ureaplasmosis, but also other gynecological diseases. The exact cause of the discomfort is determined by the doctor.

Timely appeal to the clinic for the treatment of the disease allows you to maintain health, excludes infertility due to inflammation. For those who have not given birth, it is important to consult a doctor without delaying treatment.

Mycoplasma and pregnancy planning

1. unprotected sexual contact;
2. revealed inflammation of the urethra, cervix, vagina;
3. medical history contains miscarriages, missed pregnancies;
4. diagnosed with infertility for no obvious reason;
5. manifestations of pyelonephritis were observed;
6. diagnosed with genital infections;
7. revealed bacterial vaginosis.

The list additionally includes the need for a study if urea, mycoplasmosis has already been diagnosed earlier. A positive bacterial culture result indicates the need to treat the expectant mother together with a permanent sexual partner if:

• inflammation is found in the genitourinary system;
• titer 10 * 4 CFU / ml or more;
• previously frozen pregnancies, miscarriages occurred at least twice;
• the partner has urethritis;
• diagnosed with mycoplasma genitalia.

Science does not know for sure whether infection is dangerous for pregnancy. Statistics show that these bacteria are common among infertile women, but no direct connection has been found. Ureaplasma and mycoplasma infections are considered one of the causes of infertility and frequent miscarriages. Antibacterial drugs increase the chances of successful fertilization and gestation. The treatment regimen is selected individually.

In rare cases, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis are fraught with:

1. salpingitis;
2. adhesive process in the fallopian tubes.

This leads to obstruction of the tubes and the inability to get pregnant and carry the baby. Adhesions also increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy. Hysterosalpingography allows you to find out the condition of the fallopian tubes.

Mycoplasma in pregnant women

If a microbiological examination of a smear for chlamydia, mycoplasma and ureaplasma in women showed the presence of a pathogen, this affects the bearing of the fetus. Risks increase:

• early termination of pregnancy;
• premature birth;
• regression of pregnancy;
• outpouring of amniotic fluid ahead of time;
• giving birth to a child weighing less than 2.5 kg;
• postpartum endometritis;
• placental insufficiency.

Among women who have been successfully treated for urea, mycoplasmosis, termination of pregnancy is unlikely.

Remember that the pathogen harms the fetus during the gestation stage. Chances increase:

1. congenital mycoplasmosis;
2. meningitis;
3. jaundice;
4. pneumonia.

Self-medication is unacceptable, since incorrectly selected medications negatively affect the fetus.

The doctor determines the need for therapy in each case individually, focusing on the test results, the woman's condition, and concomitant diseases.

Diagnostics

At the first suspicion of infection, both partners are advised to visit a doctor. Before you donate a seeding tank for ureaplasma and mycoplasma, you should:

• abstain from sexual activity for 2-3 days;
• Do not use genital preparations for 7 days;
• monitor the hygiene of the genitals.

Diagnosis in women includes:

1. gynecological examination;
2. bacteriological culture;
3. a blood test for antibodies.
4. PCR diagnostics.

A gynecological examination reveals:

• inflammatory changes in the vagina and cervix;
• the presence of atypical discharge.

An accurate diagnosis is established based on the information obtained from the analysis of the smear. If urea, mycoplasmas are not found, but there are other infections, it will be possible to identify them.

The next stage is sowing on mycoplasma and ureaplasma, which allows the bacteria to be examined. When the pathogen is detected, the concentration, belonging to the subspecies, and antibiotic resistance are detected. If the result is positive, the doctor selects the best measures for treatment.

Therapy

Without timely treatment, the disease becomes chronic and provokes complications.

Ureaplasma and mycoplasma are usually treated in women by normalizing the microflora of the genital organs. For this, probiotics and other means are used that restore the microbial landscape of the mucous membrane.

The treatment period does not allow for sexual intercourse. A month after the completion of the course, an analysis is made by PCR or ELISA. In case of relapse of the disease, they resort to other antibiotics and conduct additional research.

Prophylaxis

• rejection of promiscuous sex life;
• the use of barrier contraception;
• regular check-ups for symptoms;
• hygiene;
• increased immunity.

Remember to visit your gynecologist regularly. The frequency of preventive examinations is once a year. This helps to prevent not only myco-, ureaplasmosis, but also other gynecological diseases.

Mycoplasma is a group of pathogenic microorganisms. They affect the bronchopulmonary and urinary systems.

Urogenital mycoplasmosis is diagnosed by different methods. Including with the help of bacteriological inoculation. Let's talk about what this method is, what its advantages and disadvantages.

• Sowing price for mycoplasma

Sowing tank for mycoplasma and ureaplasma

The structures of the urogenital tract can affect two types of mycoplasmas. These are mycoplasma genitalium and hominis.

The first is considered to be more pathogenic. Sowing for mycoplasma genitalia is not done in Russia. Other methods are used to identify this microorganism. Only mycoplasma hominis can be detected with the seed tank. The essence of this diagnostic procedure is as follows:

• Clinical material is taken from the body. It can be a smear, urine, ejaculate.
• It is sown on nutrient media.
• The microorganisms are cultured for several days.
• The specialist carries out the identification of bacteria.
• Their sensitivity to antimicrobial drugs is assessed.

How to donate culture for mycoplasma and ureaplasma

For the analysis, mainly smears are used.

In men, seeding of the secretion of the prostate, ejaculate, urine is allowed. For males, a smear is taken only from the urethra. To do this, a tampon is placed inside to a depth of 1-2 cm.

In women, smears are taken from different parts of the urogenital tract. First, remove the remnants of mucus with a dry gauze swab. Because it contains dead bacterial cells, tissues and white blood cells. The doctor may massage the urethra. He then takes a swab and places it on the transport medium. If there is no discharge of the urethra, the tampon is immersed in and rotated for a few seconds. In appearance, the transport medium for inoculation on mycoplasma looks like a light yellow liquid.

Preparation for inoculation for mycoplasma

You need to properly prepare for laboratory diagnostics. Otherwise, you may get incorrect test results. For preparation, the doctor recommends:

• do not take any drugs, except for vital ones (first of all, they refuse antibiotic therapy);
• Abstain from sex for 2 days;
• women - to be tested no earlier than 3 days after transvaginal ultrasound, colposcopy or gynecological examination;
• do not use tampons;
• do not do douching;
• do not urinate 3 hours before taking a smear;
• prepare sterile containers, probes and other consumables that are necessary for taking tests (this is usually not required in paid clinics).

Provocation before sowing to increase the quantity

Some doctors prescribe a provocation before the test.

Special stimuli are used. They increase the number of bacteria in the urogenital tract.

Accordingly, the sensitivity of the test increases. The likelihood of a false negative is reduced. The provocation is carried out in different ways. It happens:

• chemical;
• mechanical;
• alimentary;
• thermal;
• physiological.

For chemical provocation, various substances are injected into the urethra or vagina. It can be Lugol's glycerin solution or silver nitrate.

Mechanical provocation involves cystoscopy. Another option is to insert a bougie into the urethra. After irritation of the walls of the urethra, the number of bacteria can increase.

Alimentary provocation is often recommended to the patient. Because this method is the simplest. In addition, it is perceived positively by the majority of patients. They are advised to eat junk food: spicy, salty, smoked, alcohol, etc.

Thermal provocation is occasionally used. For this, the genitals are stimulated with electric current or high temperatures. Finally, physiological provocation can only be performed on women. It lies in the fact that smears are taken from a woman during menstruation. During this period, the number of bacteria in the genitourinary tract usually increases. Therefore, it is much easier to detect mycoplasmas.

How much is being prepared for sowing for mycoplasma

Tank seeding is one of the best methods for diagnosing mycoplasmosis. It has high sensitivity and specificity. But the main disadvantage is the long duration of the study. It is for this reason that the doctor often prefers other methods of confirming the diagnosis.

In most cases, the study takes 4-5 days. Plus one more day is required with a positive test result. Because if colonies of mycoplasmas grow, the sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics is determined.

In the event of an exacerbation of the infection, the venereologist often uses a different method to confirm the infection. For example, PCR, because it gives results the very next day. This means that you can start treatment earlier. Accordingly, the risk of complications is reduced. But if the infection has a sluggish chronic course, then several days do not play a significant role in terms of prognosis. With mild symptoms, sowing on mycoplasma hominis can be carried out. This makes it possible to immediately select an effective antibiotic therapy.

Deciphering the analysis of inoculation for mycoplasma

In the analysis, you can see if mycoplasma is detected or not. If found, the quantity is indicated.

The unit of measurement is CFU. Normally, there should be no more than 10 4 CFU. Otherwise, signs of inflammation develop, complications are possible, etc.

Many doctors believe that there should be no mycoplasma in the urogenital tract at all. Therefore, they prescribe treatment even with a minimal concentration of this pathogen. The results also show susceptibility to antibacterial agents.

Mycoplasma can be resistant, sensitive or insensitive to different drugs.

Culture for mycoplasma: false positive and false negative results

Inoculation results are not always reliable. Sometimes they are false negative or false positive.

In the first case, the analysis shows that there are no bacteria, although in fact they are. In the second, on the contrary - the results indicate that mycoplasmas are present in the body. Although in reality they are not there.

False culture results for Mycoplasma are rare. False positives may be due to contamination of the clinical material. False negatives are due to:

• violation of the rules for the collection of clinical material;
• violation of the rules for preparing for the test;
• too low concentration of the pathogen.

To prevent this from happening, smears should be taken by a doctor, not nursing staff. Analyzes should only be sent to quality laboratories.

Culture for mycoplasma: comparison with PCR

Sometimes the results of different analyzes contradict each other. Can PCR be positive and culture negative and vice versa? Sometimes it happens.

If the PCR is positive and the culture is negative, this means that:

• the concentration of mycoplasmas is too low (PCR has a higher sensitivity);
• the culture result is false negative due to one of the reasons listed above.

There are also reverse situations. If the PCR is negative and the culture is positive, it means that the PCR was not done correctly. Most likely, the clinical material was taken not from the area where mycoplasmas are concentrated.

Sowing for mycoplasma: timing after infection

After infection, tests are not immediately given. In most cases, patients only see a doctor after symptoms appear. By this time, inflammatory processes begin.

Mycoplasma is already released into the external environment. Accordingly, it can be detected during diagnostics. But some patients come to be tested for epidemiological indications. For example, after unprotected contact with a person suffering from mycoplasmosis. In this case, people often come to be examined the next day. But there is no sense in diagnostics yet.

It must take at least 2 weeks before bacteria can be detected. Moreover, the risk of a false negative result remains.

It is optimal to treat 1 month after a possible infection or earlier if the disease has already manifested itself with symptoms.

Culture for mycoplasma: when taken after antibiotics

Often patients ask when, after antibiotics, it is possible to take culture for mycoplasma. The use of antibacterial drugs reduces the information content of the study. Because drugs destroy some of the bacteria.

As a result, there are fewer of them, and the seeding results can be skewed. Research can give a false negative result. Otherwise, the result will be positive. But at the same time, the number of bacteria will be underestimated. Therefore, it is impossible to be treated until the moment of delivery of the clinical material for analysis. Sowing is done only 1 month after taking antibiotics.

When they take culture for mycoplasma after treatment

It is impossible to determine with certainty whether the therapy was successful based on the clinical examination of the patient. Symptoms may not be present. But this does not mean that the person is healthy. Therefore, control is required after treatment by the method of inoculation for mycoplasma.

Usually, control diagnostic procedures are performed 1 month after taking the last dose of an antibacterial drug.

The criteria for healing are:

• absence of bacteria in clinical material;
• reducing bacteria to a safe concentration;
• elimination of clinical symptoms;
• elimination of laboratory signs of inflammation (absence of leukocytes in a smear for flora).

If the test result is negative, the person is considered cured. If it is positive, a second course of therapy is required. It is usually done with another drug.

Holding a seeding tank after treatment is advantageous.

The laboratory investigates which drugs are capable of destroying the pathogen. After the colonies grow, various antibiotics are added to the nutrient medium. Then experts assess which of them inhibit the growth of mycoplasmas more strongly. One of these drugs will be prescribed to the patient. Most likely, it will be more effective than the previous one.

After a second course, control is required again. It is held in a month. Who to take from sexual partners

It is important that both partners are screened for genital infections. Moreover, not only on mycoplasma. Its presence in the body suggests that other STI pathogens may be present. Therefore, a comprehensive examination for genital infections is required.

Should the partners have the same results?

Quantities may vary. But in any case, there should be no pathogenic microorganisms in the structures of the urogenital tract. Therefore, the results for both partners are normally negative. If one is positive, additional treatment is required. Because otherwise there will be a reservoir of infection. One untreated partner will infect the other.

Sowing media for mycoplasma and ureaplasma

Mycoplasma can be sown on different nutrient media. They are divided into liquid, solid and semi-liquid. In practice, liquid or solid are most often used. The latter contain 1.3% agar. It is used as a thickener.

In any environment, there is a nutrient base for bacteria. Usually these are digests and peptones.

Mycoplasmas require not only proteins, but also:

• cholesterol;
• fatty acid;
• sterols;
• phospholipids;
• glycolipids.

To detect mycoplasma hominis, the amino acid arginine is added to the culture media. It is included in the composition of liquid media. Sometimes it is necessary to differentiate mycoplasma and ureaplasma. In this case, manganese oxide is added to the dense nutrient medium. If colonies of ureaplasmas grow, they will be colored brown.

Mycoplasmas do not stain in this way. Colonies remain colorless. It is usually necessary to quantify. In this case, titration of the biomaterial is carried out in nutrient media.

Which doctor takes a culture for mycoplasma

Different doctors may order and take this test. First, it is a venereologist. Because mycoplasmosis is a sexually transmitted disease. Secondly, a gynecologist can take an analysis. Because in women, mycoplasma affects the reproductive organs. And it is the female doctor who deals with diseases of the corresponding localization. Thirdly, the urologist takes inoculation for mycoplasma and ureaplasma. Moreover, not only in men, but also in women. Because these microorganisms can infect not only the reproductive system. They can also infect the urinary organs. There are cases when mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas cause cystitis or pyelonephritis. In some laboratories, the analysis is carried out by nurses. For example, if a person does not need a doctor's consultation. Then he goes directly not to a medical clinic, but directly to the laboratory. There they can take tests without a referral from a venereologist. The nurse will take a swab, which will be immediately plated on the culture medium.

Sowing price for mycoplasma

Culture for mycoplasma does not cost more than most other methods for diagnosing mycoplasmosis. Moreover, the culture study is 100% specific. It is highly informative. Because it allows you to isolate a pure culture of mycoplasmas and work with it in the future. It is commonly used to measure antibiotic susceptibility.

On average, the cost of seeding for mycoplasma is 1000 rubles. But this price does not include:

• the cost of taking clinical material (taking smears);
• the price of the transport medium;
• the cost of disposable tableware for testing (for example, a container for collecting urine).

In addition, culture of smears taken from different parts of the body is paid separately. For example, if women undergo a culture study of clinical material from the vagina, cervix and urethra, then the cost of diagnostics will be 3 times higher.

Where to sow for mycoplasma

You can get tested in our clinic. Here you can be tested not only for mycoplasma, but also for other STIs. We offer painless collection of clinical material. If necessary, you can be examined anonymously. We have no queues.

You are guaranteed a friendly attitude from the nursing staff. Our clinic offers affordable prices. After receiving the results, you can get advice from a venereologist or gynecologist.

The doctor will prescribe a treatment that will get rid of mycoplasmosis.

If you need to pass inoculation for mycoplasma and ureaplasma, contact the author of this article - a venereologist in Moscow with many years of experience.

PRC on chlamydia, ureaplasma and mycoplasma will allow to identify the primary source of illness or ailment in men and women. It will also make it possible to make the correct diagnosis with an unclear or not completely correct clinical picture of diseases, such as AIDS or hepatitis. Diseases can be hereditary, acquired, or infectious.

This type of analysis of samples to determine the presence of HUM genes (chlamydia, ureaplasma, mycoplasma) is one of the most accurate and fast.

Its advantages include:

1. The test technique allows achieving high sensitivity of the analysis (not less than 95%).
2. It can be used for all stages and forms of the disease: latent (latent, asymptomatic), chronic, acute period of the disease.
3. Allows you to determine if the patient is a carrier of the disease.
4. A huge range of possibilities for collecting material for research.
5. High speed of obtaining data and results after analysis. Usually, the result is issued within one to two days, but if there is an urgent need, then the test result can be obtained on the day the sample is taken.
6. This type of analysis is "straight forward". He detects exactly the factor of the disease that is the cause.
7. Analysis availability. If a patient develops suspicions or symptoms, it can be done on their own initiative without waiting for a referral from a doctor.
8. Allows you to detect and identify not only the disease itself, but also concomitant or diseases with similar symptoms. Almost all urogenital infections and diseases of HUM have such properties.

Despite its many positive aspects, this test has several disadvantages:

1. Should be carried out in laboratories with a high degree of sanitary standards. They are strictly required to avoid false positive results due to sample contamination. The chance of getting an erroneous result is about 5%.
2. The result is difficult to interpret. For accurate diagnosis and data processing, you must have a medical education. The study should be evaluated by a qualified specialist in immunology and the field of infectious diseases.
3. The high cost of the test. It is caused by the need to install expensive equipment and hire highly qualified specialists to study, conduct and verify the result.

Indications for the appointment of PRTS for chlamydia

This procedure is prescribed to determine the following diseases:

• human papillomaviruses of all types, including oncogenic strains;
• AIDS;
• herpes caused by cytomegalovirus;
• tuberculosis;
• hepatitis;
• sexually transmitted diseases.

Symptoms with which you can get a referral for analysis:

• planning a future pregnancy or a difficult course of the existing one;
• the need to find out the likelihood of violations in a child and the chance of hereditary pathologies;
• determination of the causes of infertility in both men and women (difficulties in fertilizing an egg);
• the appearance in the body of inflammatory processes of unclear etiology;
• the presence of the fact of unprotected intercourse recently;
• the need to find out the sensitivity to antibiotics;
• sexually transmitted infections;
• signs of the transition of the disease to a chronic form;
• lack of passing such a survey before.

If the patient has a positive result for the bacterium chlamydia trachomatis, then the analysis must be prescribed to his sexual partner. Even if that person does not have any manifestations, symptoms or ailments.

The presence or absence of contaminated trace elements shows a qualitative PCR analysis. However, if general testing is carried out and it is necessary to know the stage of development of the infection, the foci of infection and the rate of reproduction, a quantitative analysis is also performed.

How to prepare for analysis

Diagnostics should be carefully prepared and a few simple rules should be followed:

1. Eliminate the possibility of urinating 3 hours before taking a smear.
2. A few days (2-3 days) before the study, exclude the use of local contraceptives or vaginal drugs.
3. Refrain from sexual intercourse for two days before taking the test.
4. 3 hours before the delivery of PCR for chlamydia, avoid hygienic treatment of the genitals. Do not douche or similar procedures on women.
5. The best time to take a PCR test for chlamydia in girls is in the middle of the menstrual cycle.
6. The cycle for taking antibiotics and antibacterial agents should not overlap or overlap with the preparation cycle for DNA testing for chlamydia.
7. Refrain from smoking or using tobacco, electronic cigarettes, several hours before the test.
8. Absolutely exclude any consumption of alcoholic beverages, fried foods, fatty foods.

After completing all these procedures, you can proceed to the delivery of the analysis. The process of taking a smear for men and women is slightly different.

More details about preparation for analysis are presented in the video from the Medical Journal channel. The author is S.G. Lenkin, Candidate of Medical Sciences, a venereologist and urologist of the highest category.

How to take

Before you take a PCR smear for chlamydia, mycoplasma and ureaplasma, you need to check with your doctor what kind of material will be taken in your case.

Depending on the diagnosis and the pathogen determined by the test, the samples of the taken material can be:

• sperm;
• blood;
• saliva;
• other liquids;
• sometimes PCR is done in urine.

For analysis, blood in both sexes is carried out by taking 10-15 ml of material from the elbow section of the circulatory system.

Women

In women, the collection of liquids, samples of membranes for PCR analysis can be performed in the following places:

1. The inner lining of the urethra.
2. The inner lining of the vagina. For girls, scraping is done from the vestibule of the vagina to avoid rupture of the hymen.
3. Synovial fluid.
4. Cervical canal. A smear or scraping is performed. A smear is preferable because it does not create painful effects, but the accuracy of the analysis of the polymerase chain reaction in this case may be slightly reduced.
5. Conjunctive mucosa. The outer shell of the eyeball or smear under the eyelid.

The analysis itself is submitted in a short period of time. It all depends on the area where the material will come from. For example, the collection of synovial fluid, in other words, the puncture of the articular apparatus, occurs by introducing a needle of a large diameter - 0.8 mm. This is painful and may require local anesthesia and therefore takes longer.

For the study and analysis of PCR in urine, the woman must provide the material collected in the morning in the middle of the stream. In this case, the first and last two drops are discarded, in an amount of 50 ml. This achieves high reliability of the analysis, excluding possible errors.

During pregnancy

For all cases of admission of pregnant women to the antenatal clinic, a polymerase chain reaction test for the presence of chlamydia and mycoplasma in the body must be prescribed.

The analysis itself is submitted in one of the following ways:

• a swab is taken from the cervix;
• amniotic fluid sample;
• examination of the tissues of the placenta.

If an infection is detected in the membranes, such as amniotic fluid, or in the tissue of the fetus itself, an analysis of the amniotic fluid should be done. If the period is already long, then the study of the tissues of the placenta will be carried out.

Men

In men, samples of the following mucous membranes can be collected for PCR analysis for chlamydia:

• a smear from the inner wall of the urethra;
• a smear from the conjunctiva (outer shell of the eyeball, under the eyelid);
• semen sample;
• fluid secreted by the prostate gland;
• synovial fluid.

The choice of the location of the fence is carried out depending on the alleged or already diagnosed pathogen. For men and boys, before taking a sample of membranes or liquid, it is necessary to consult with a dermatovenerologist and urologist. This will contribute to a clearer definition of the alleged disease and, as a result, a more accurate analysis result.

How the research is done

Features of PCR and ELISA analyzes for chlamydia:

1. Special reagents are added to the tissue or mucous membrane sample collected as a result of the collection.
2. Enzyme substances recreate a copy of the test material or microorganism by binding these substances to a piece of DNA. The number of copies and clones of the material is formed enough to accurately study, diagnose the disease by researching and identifying the microorganism in the mass.
3. Cells affected by an infectious agent differ sharply from healthy biological material. This allows you to isolate a microbe and examine it under a microscope.
4. To identify the disease, an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) is performed. It is used to qualitatively and quantitatively determine the presence of infections, viruses, microorganisms, bacteria and other pathogens. These tests complement each other if a single test does not give an accurate result.
5. Based on the data obtained, an analysis protocol is formed.

Using this test, specialists are able to identify the following types of bacteria and viruses:

• immunodeficiency;
• Chlamydia Trachomatis;
• mycoplasmia;
• ureaplasmia;
• tuberculosis;
• hepatitis;
• Epstein-Barr;
• papillomas.

It is possible to analyze these infectious agents only in a special laboratory, or in a modern polyclinic with the proper equipment for carrying out PCR.

Interpretation of analysis results

The column with the name of the test may contain the following wording:

• research type: polymer;
• type of research: enzyme immunoassay.

This means performing quantitative and qualitative PCR tests.

If the study is carried out for the detection of pathogenic bacteria, then:

• in the column with the name of the bacteria, the name of the pathology will appear (for example, mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis);
• diseases will be marked with "+" or "-" depending on the result.

The result could be:

1. Positive (bacteria detected), sometimes indicated in the field next to the name with a "+" symbol. This indicates the presence of an acute process in the body and treatment is necessary or the patient is a carrier of the disease.
2. Negative (no bacteria detected), also denoted in some cases by the symbol “-“.
3. The wording is "negative PCR culture". This means that the investigated infection was not found in the patient, that is, the person is healthy.

How much does a PCR test for chlamydia cost?

Prices for polymerase chain reaction analysis vary by region:

According to patient reviews, the price of a PCR test varies depending on the number of studies required. If a comprehensive examination is prescribed, then the total cost of the tests can be much higher.

Photo gallery

Sample survey protocol Negative PCR test result

Video

More information about how the PCR analysis for chlamydia in women is taken can be found in the video from the author of "Siberian Medical Laboratory"

Description

Method of determination bacteriological

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Diagnosis of urogenital infections caused by M. hominis and Ureaplasma spp., And choice of antibiotics.

Mycoplasma hominis is one of a group of gram-negative bacteria that cause damage to the urogenital tract in women and men. Takes a leading place among STIs (sexually transmitted infections). It is often combined with gonococci, Trichomonas and opportunistic microorganisms; is transmitted through sexual intercourse and can cause non-gonococcal urethritis, prostatitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, pathology of pregnancy and fetus, infertility in women and men.

Isolated pathogens: M.hominis.

Ureaplasma spp. causes an inflammatory process in the genitourinary system. This microbe is considered the cause of the disease if it is detected in laboratory research, and other pathogenic microorganisms that can cause such inflammation have not been identified. Ureaplasma is transmitted by contact and household, most often - sexually. The incubation period is two to three weeks. Ureaplasmosis in men is manifested by non-gonococcal urethritis, leading to damage to the testicles and appendages, and ultimately to male infertility. In women, this microbe is found in bacterial vaginosis. The asymptomatic course does not reduce the risk of complications. To identify the pathogen, the bacterial inoculation method is used. In this case, up to 80% of cases, joint infection with ureaplasma, mycoplasma and anaerobic microflora is detected.