Clinical Manifestations of Ureaplasma urealyticum Colonization in Infants

Lim, In Suk; Choi, Chang Won; Kim, Byeong Il; Kim, Sang Duk; Lee, Jin A; Kim, Eu Kyung; Kim, Han Suk; Choi, Jung Hwan

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization is a significant cause of fetal and neonatal pneumonia and is associated with the prevalence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants. This study was aimed to evaluate the relationship between U. urealyticum colonization and neonatal morbidity.
METHODS
We tested 476 infants for U. urealyticum on the first day of life among infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Bun-dang Seoul National University Hospital from June 2003 to July 2006. Urine and endotracheal aspirates were processed by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) or culture for U. urealyticum colonization. We compared the morbidity in the colonized group with the non-colonized group.
RESULTS
The study group consisted ot 136 infants less than 32 weeks of gestational age and 340 infants more than 32 weeks of gestational age. In infants less than 32 weeks of gestational age, 18 (13%) of 136 infants had 1 or more positive specimens by culture or PCR. BPD occurred more in the colonized group than in the non-colonized group (p=0.058) and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) occurred significantly less in the colonized group (p=0.043). Total WBC counts on the third day of life was significantly increased in the colonized group (p=0.003) and this significance was prominent in the neutrophil fraction (p=0.001). There was no significant relation between U. urealyticum colonization and IgM levels nor C-reactive protein (CRP) level nor U. urealyticum colonization of the mother. Twenty-three(7%) of 340 infants more than 32 weeks of gestational age had 1 or more positive specimens by culture or PCR. BPD didn't occur and RDS didn't decrease significantly in the colonized group (p=0.605). Total IgM levels didn't increase significantly in the colonized group (p < 0.006) but total WBC counts and CRP levels didn't increase significantly in the colonized group. There was no significant relation between U. urealyticum colonization and U. urealyticum colonization of the mother (p=0.21).
CONCLUSION
U. urealyticum colonization in infants less than 32 weeks of gestational age was associated with an increased prevalence of BPD and a decreased prevalence of RDS.