Aetiology
M. hominis and U. urealyticum are commonly found in the genital mucosa of sexually active women, and the level of colonisation increases with the number of sexual partners. M. hominis and U. urealyticum are also found in women with intra-amniotic infection, postpartum endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disorders.
Neonates can be colonised as they pass through the birth canal; however, infection does not usually persist.
Diagnosis
There is little point in testing for mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas in culture, due to the high level of colonisation in the general population. In addition, these microorganisms are rarely isolated from pure cultures.