Patients are interested in how antibodies to ureaplasma are determined. Ureaplasma urealiticum is the causative agent of ureaplasmosis, which is a microorganism without a cell wall. Their reproduction is carried out by simple division. Nutrients they are found on the mucous tissues of a person and are able to populate the genitals and the urethra. In advanced form, the disease can spread to other internal organs.
How are antibodies detected in the blood?
Ureaplasma is divided into 2 types (biovar): and ureaplasma parvum. Each species is divided into 14 subspecies of this microorganism.
When testing a person, several types of bacteria are very often detected. As a rule, they refer to both biovars. Ureaplasma cells can also exhibit IgA protease activity, filling the mucous membranes.
In adults, the disease is more often transmitted sexually. In children, microbes are transmitted from the mother through the placenta or during childbirth, when the fetus passes through the birth canal.
As the child grows older, the percentage of ureaplasma in his body decreases and only with the onset of an active sexual life begins to increase again.
This type of microorganisms is capable of causing inflammatory reactions in the body and entails unpleasant consequences, for example:
- and men;
- miscarriages in pregnant women;
- low birth weight of the child;
- mortality from pneumonia;
- meningitis and other diseases in newborns.
In adult women, it can cause inflammation of the uterus and appendages with the corresponding symptoms (itching, greenish discharge), in men it also suffers reproductive system, but not so pronounced, due to their structure. In laboratory practice, healthy people ureaplasma is not isolated as a pathogen, since most of its properties have not yet been studied.
Diagnosis of ureaplasmosis is made in the laboratory. To detect pathogenic microorganisms, various microbiological and PCR tests are used: test No. 444, 343 URO, 303 URO, etc., serological tests No. 264 and No. 265.
But often these studies do not provide specific information, since in a healthy person the disease may not yet produce and proceed latently. In addition, there are many other bacteria that can give results similar to those of ureaplasma urealiticum.
The immune defense of the human body works. After the transfer of the disease ureaplasmosis, a person develops immunity, that is, antibodies to the presence of ureaplasma begin to be produced in the body.
People with reduced immunity quite difficult to tolerate this disease and its relapses.
Antibodies to ureaplasma urealyticum can be found in patients without a bright clinical picture, but nevertheless, a positive test result is observed for the invasive form of microorganisms. This is indicated by an increased number of antibody titers.
How is the analysis decoded?
It is worth paying attention to the fact that if the test result is negative, this does not mean that the person is not infected. Perhaps the disease is latent and the amount of antibodies produced by the body is not enough to determine the diagnosis. Therefore, doctors prescribe a second analysis after 1-2 weeks.
Igg antibodies can be in the blood of a pregnant woman and be transmitted to the child through the placenta, that is, the presence of antibodies already indicates that the newborn is infected.
How to recognize the results of the analysis without waiting for the diagnosis of doctors? Clinics use 3 methods for diagnosing ureaplasma.
How to decipher the results yourself?
Deciphering the analysis for antibodies can be done independently, if you know what the norm of the number of bacteria should be. The test form is similar to other blood sampling forms. But, unlike, for example, the direction to general analysis blood, in the form for ureaplasmosis, the names of bacteria and, often, their number will be indicated. Also, at present, next to the column of real values, a column with the value of the norm is entered.
The norm for tests for the presence of antibodies to microorganisms is a positive or negative result.
You also need to remember one more thing. Ureaplasma urealiticum lives on the mucous tissues of all organs, so it is rather stupid to assume that it cannot penetrate, for example, into the throat or nose. If a person feels unreasonable pain, itching, and difficulty breathing, this is an impetus to check for the presence of microorganisms.
Never be afraid to get tested. The sooner an infected person learns about the infection, the sooner treatment can begin. And you should never self-medicate. Only a doctor can determine which microorganism is resistant to.
Description
Method of determination Immunoassay (using purified recombinant Ureaplasma urealyticum antigens).
Material under study Serum
Home visit available
Marker of current or recent Ureaplasma urealyticum infection.
Ureaplasma urealyticum (from Lat. urea - urea) are small bacteria that do not have a cell wall and multiply by simple division, belonging to the genus Ureaplasma of the Mycoplasmataceae (Mycoplasma) family. Like other mycoplasmas, Ureaplasma urealyticum usually lives on mucous membranes. The main nutrient substrate for them is urea, in connection with which, obviously, they are prone to colonizing the genitourinary system.
After the first description of Ureaplasma urealyticum, 14 serotypes of this type of microorganisms were isolated. Later, based on the characteristics of the genome, they were divided into 2 biovars - biovar 1 (parvo biovar) combining serotypes 1, 3, 6, and 14; biovar 2 (T960-biovar), combining serotypes 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13. Since the DNA homology in these biovars is less than 60%, they are currently classified as separate species - Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum (T960). In clinical practice, Ureaplasma parvum is detected more often, but even in one person both types of ureaplasmas can be detected at the same time.
Ureaplasmas have the ability to adhere to cells, including erythrocytes, neutrophils, spermatozoa, and urethral epithelial cells. In addition to urease activity, ureaplasmas also exhibit IgA protease activity, which probably facilitates the colonization of mucous membranes, where immunoglobulins A provide specific humoral protection against microorganisms.
In adults, infection with U. urealyticum occurs through sexual contact. According to studies, U. Urealyticum can be found in 40 - 80% of healthy sexually active women, including healthy pregnant women. Transmission of U. Urealyticum is also possible in a vertical way (from mother to child) - 1) in utero: ascending from infected genitals or transplacental; 2) during childbirth when the fetus passes through the birth canal. The risk of transfer depends on many individual factors (according to studies, 62% of cases in girls and 25% in boys).
In newborns, ureaplasmas are most often detected in the oropharynx, nasopharynx and genital organs, by 15 months the incidence of infection is reduced by a factor of three, as such cases grow older. With the onset of sexual activity, the proportion of those infected again begins to increase.
Ureaplasmas can cause inflammatory diseases of the uterus and appendages, salpingitis and non-gonococcal urethritis in leading sexual life of people. Their association with infertility, postpartum endometritis, chorioamnionitis, spontaneous abortion, premature birth, low birth weight, perinatal morbidity and mortality, pneumonia, bacteremia, meningitis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature babies has been demonstrated. At the same time, the etiological and clinical role of U. Urealyticum in the pathogenesis of these conditions has not yet been sufficiently studied. The high frequency of detection of these microorganisms in healthy individuals does not allow us to consider these bacteria as an unconditional pathogen and dictates the need for a cautious approach in interpreting the results of laboratory diagnostics.
Laboratory diagnostics. To detect ureaplasma infection, microbiological methods are used (test), serological tests (tests No.,). The informativeness of these studies is often relative, since these bacteria are widespread among healthy people and it is difficult to prove their pathogenetic role. The results should be analyzed in conjunction with clinical data and the results of studies aimed at identifying other bacteria that can cause a similar clinical picture.Antibodies of the IgA class to U. urealyticum appear early during the immune response during primary infection, as well as reinfection or exacerbation of the infection. This is a factor of humoral immunity at the level of mucous membranes, important factor protection against this microorganism. IgA antibodies to U. urealyticum can be found in some people without clinical manifestations of infection. Invasive and extragenital forms of infection are characterized by elevated titers of specific antibodies of all classes. In favor of the current infection, a pronounced increase in specific antibody titers over a 2-week period may also indicate.
A negative result does not exclude U. urealyticum infection - IgA antibodies do not always appear in the blood, the level of IgA antibodies may be insufficient for detection. Retesting not earlier than 1 week later with a pronounced increase in antibody titers speaks in favor of the current infection.
Literature
- Mavrov I. Sexual diseases. AST PRESS BOOK. 2002. 752 p.
- infectious diseases in children. Ed. D. Murray. M. Practice, 2006. 928 p.
- Waites K. B., Katz B., and Schelonka R.L. Mycoplasmas and Ureaplasmas as Neonatal Pathogens. Clin. microbiol. Rev., 2005, Vol.18, No.4, p. 757-789.
- Cunningham C.K., Bonville C.A., Hagen J.H. et al. Immunoblot Analysis of Anti-Ureaplasma urealyticum Antibody in Pregnant Women and Newborn Infants. Clin.Diagn.Lab. Immunol. 1996, Vol.3, No. 5, P. 487-492.
- Brown M.B., Cassell G.H., Taylor-Robinson D. and Shepard M.C. Measurement of Antibody to Ureaplasma urealyticum by an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and Detection of Antibody Responses in Patients with Nongonococcal Urethritis. JClin. microbiol. 1983, 17(2): 288-295
Indications for appointment
- If Ureaplasma urealyticum infection is suspected (in dynamics, in paired sera in parallel with the determination of IgG, as well as microbiological or PCR testing).
- In combination with studies aimed at identifying other pathogens in non-gonococcal urethritis, inflammatory diseases of the uterus and appendages, salpingitis, infertility and other pathological conditions associated with Ureaplasma urealyticum.
Interpretation of results
The interpretation of test results contains information for the attending physician and is not a diagnosis. The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. An accurate diagnosis is made by the doctor, using both the results of this examination and the necessary information from other sources: history, results of other examinations, etc.
The results are given in terms of:
- negative;
- doubtful;
- positive.
Positively:
- current or past infection with Ureaplasma urealyticum (high titers and rising titers over 2 weeks are in favor of current infection);
- part of the healthy population.
Negative:
- no infection;
- early dates infections;
- long-term periods after the infection;
- undetectable antibody level.
Doubtful: the result is close to the threshold value. It is recommended to repeat in dynamics in 7-10 days.
* The positivity ratio (PC) is the ratio of the optical density of the patient sample to the threshold value. KP - the coefficient of positivity is a universal indicator used in high-quality enzyme immunoassays. The CP characterizes the degree of positivity of the test sample and may be useful to the doctor for the correct interpretation of the result. Since the positivity coefficient does not correlate linearly with the concentration of antibodies in the sample, it is not recommended to use the CP for dynamic monitoring of patients, including monitoring the effectiveness of treatment.
Ureaplasmas- These are tiny bacteria, not much larger than most viruses, without their own cell membrane and their own DNA, and living on the mucous membranes of the human genital organs and urinary tract. Infection with ureaplasma occurs sexually, it is also possible to transmit the infection from mother to child in utero and during childbirth.
The clinical picture of ureaplasma infection is practically absent. In 95% of women, the disease is asymptomatic. If ureaplasma is manifested, then the patient complains of vaginal discharge, frequent, painful urination, pain in the lower abdomen. In men, the first period of infection with ureaplasma (from several days to one month) is also more often asymptomatic, after the latent period, non-gonococcal urethritis becomes the most common manifestation, characterized by the following symptoms: burning and itching in the urethra, pain during urination, small mucous secretions, the outlet from the urethra is glued with pus, the urine itself becomes cloudy.
In men, ureaplasma predominantly colonizes the urethra and foreskin. If left untreated, the process continues to spread to the prostate, testicular tissue (orchiepidimitis develops), seminal vesicles. In women, ureaplasma colonizes the vagina, less often the cervix and urethra; the pathogen causes urethritis, cervicitis and inflammatory lesions of the pelvic organs (salpingitis, oophoritis, endometritis, adnexitis, etc.). The main diagnostic method is PCR. Serological diagnostics reveals specific antibodies to the microorganism. The detection of class A antibodies indicates the acute phase of the disease, requiring active treatment in the initial stage of infection, these are the very first antibodies that are produced in response to the introduction of the pathogen, ensuring the development of local immunity.
General information about the study
U. urealyticum is a bacteria that belongs to the group of mycoplasmas. These are unusually small organisms, the smallest free-living creatures on Earth.
In medicine, attention is paid to two types of ureaplasmas: U. urealyticum and U. parvum, since they are the ones that can cause diseases. However, in most cases, the presence of ureaplasmas in a patient is not accompanied by any symptoms, that is, these bacteria may be present in the microflora of a healthy person.
Ureaplasmas are present in 40-70% of healthy women who are sexually active. They are less common in men. Ureaplasma transmission is possible through sexual contact or during childbirth.
However, sometimes these bacteria can cause urethritis, an inflammation of the urethra. Note that U. urealyticum is only one of the possible causative agents of urethritis, which is also caused by gonococci (Neisseria gonorrhoeae), chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis), trichomonas (Trichomonas vaginalis), mycoplasmas (Mycoplasma genitalium) and other microorganisms. By external symptoms, it is impossible to determine the pathogen, therefore, laboratory tests are needed for an accurate diagnosis (and the choice of the correct method of treatment).
Symptoms of urethritis
For men:
- pain, burning in the urethra,
- mucous secretions,
- pus in the urine.
Among women:
- vaginal discharge,
- pain when urinating
- stomach ache.
Some researchers believe that there is a connection between ureaplasmas and complications during pregnancy, but this has not been proven. Therefore, an analysis for ureaplasma during pregnancy is not required. However, many diagnostic laboratories recommend screening for (and subsequently treating) U. urealyticum even if there are no symptoms.
Unproven consequences of ureaplasma infection: premature birth, stillbirth, infertility, chorioamnionitis, in newborns - meningitis, pulmonary dysplasia, pneumonia.
After pathogens enter the body, it begins to fight them. One of the ways to fight is the production of antibodies (special proteins of immunoglobulins). There are several types of immunoglobulins: IgG, IgM, IgA, etc.
Class A antibodies are present in humans in the blood (serum IgA) and in other biological fluids: in saliva, tears, colostrum, etc. (secretory IgA). Secretory IgA exhibits an antibacterial effect, but the functions of serum IgA are not yet fully understood. It is known that its lack is often associated with autoimmune, allergic diseases.
Although the role of serum IgA is not entirely clear, it can be used to diagnose diseases. The level of IgA (as well as IgG) increases when foreign bacteria enter the body. These antibodies can be detected no earlier than a week after infection. If the treatment is successful - all bacteria are killed - then the level of IgA gradually (over several months) decreases.
In the case of a second infection, the IgA level rises again, with antibodies appearing in greater numbers and faster than the first time.
The presence of Ureaplasma urealyticum means that the person has been infected with these bacteria. However, as already mentioned, the relationship between the presence of bacteria and the disease is not well understood, so that antibodies against ureaplasmas are more of an additional factor for making a diagnosis, rather than a decisive one.
What is research used for?
- To determine if a person is infected with Ureaplasma urealyticum bacteria.
- To determine the causative agent of urethritis (in conjunction with other data).
- To detect latent ureaplasma infection.
When is the study scheduled?
With symptoms of urethritis.
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Description
The analysis refers to the serological diagnosis of genital infections. The test material is blood, in which antibodies to the pathogen are detected. Antibodies are components of the body's immune system that are produced to destroy a specific foreign antigen protein. IN this case the antigen is ureaplasma (Ureaplasma urealyticum). There are several types of antibodies: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG and IgM. However, the immune system cannot cope with ureaplasma even with a very high concentration of antibodies. IgA is produced 10-15 days after infection. The main site of localization of IgA is the mucous membranes. For the diagnosis of the acute stage of primary infection, it is more appropriate to prescribe IgM, however, for exacerbation of the chronic course, IgA will be the best indicator.
Ureaplasma causes an inflammatory disease - ureaplasmosis, which is accompanied by damage to the urethra, as well as the prostate gland in men and the vagina in women.
Infection with ureplasmosis occurs mainly through sexual contact, including the oral-genital route of transmission. To newborns, the infection is transmitted from an infected mother, during the passage of the child through the birth canal. When planning a pregnancy, parents should be examined for this infection, since during pregnancy, intrauterine infection of the fetus can occur, leading to grave consequences, especially during the period of active development of the fetal organs.
Factors contributing to infection with ureaplasma include:
Unprotected sexual contact and frequent change of sexual partners;
Taking broad-spectrum antibiotics;
Decreased general and local immunity.
Clinical manifestations
Among women:
Slight discharge from the vagina, almost colorless, without a specific smell;
Pain in the lower abdomen by the type of cramps, which may be associated with the spread inflammatory process on the uterus and appendages;
Frequent urge to urinate not associated with a physiological need;
Pain and burning during the act of urination;
Unpleasant, moderately painful sensations during sexual intercourse or after sexual intercourse.
For men:
Slight, cloudy, odorless discharge from the external urethra, most often in the morning after a long pause between urination;
Less common are moderate pain during urination, a burning sensation;
Pain in the scrotum, due to the penetration of infection into the testicle and epididymis.
For men and women:
With the transition of ureaplasmosis to chronic forms, infertility can be observed, which is due to the development of the adhesive process, while in women the lumen narrows fallopian tubes, and in men, the vas deferens is “clogged”.
IndicationsIndications for appointment:
Diagnosis of ureaplasmosis;
unprotected intercourse;
Frequent change of sexual partners;
Infertility;
Comprehensive diagnosis of STDs;
Newborns from an infected mother;
Planning for pregnancy.
Interpretation of resultsInterpretation of results:
Positive test result:
The presence of ureaplasmosis, infection at least 10-15 days ago;
Exacerbation of the chronic course of ureaplasmosis;
Abundant amount of the pathogen on the mucous membranes
Negative test result:
Absence of IgA antibodies to ureaplasma;
Infection with ureaplasmosis less than 10-15 days before the analysis;
Chronic course of ureaplasmosis.