Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum (Miscellaneous)

Testing Laboratory

Department

Microbiology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

UM

Test Code (Numeric Code)

2131

Laboratory Handling

Sample Stability

24 hours

Synonyms

Mycoplasma
Ureaplasma

Turnaround Time

4 days

Specimen Type

• Semen
• Urethral Swab
• Urine
• Vaginal Swab

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Please refer to Additional Information below

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• N/A

Additional Specimen Information

Urogenital Sites:
Females: Collect a vaginal swab and place in normal microbiology transport media. Store at room temperature.
Urine specimens from females are not acceptable.

Males: Collect 10 - 20 mL of a first catch urine specimen. The specimen must reach the laboratory within 2 hours. Alternatively, collect a urethral swab, store and transport as above. A urine sample is preferable as this allows quantitation and significance to be determined more accurately.
Male specimens submitted from the community must be urethral swabs only - urine specimens are not acceptable due to the delay in transport to the laboratory.

Semen: Collect in a plain urine container pot or collect in a red top UTM (Universal Transport Medium) tube. Store at room temperature. Specimen should reach the Microbiology laboratory within 24 hours.

Non-urogenital sites (lung transplant patients):
In lung transplant recipients, invasive infection with Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma spp. has been associated with hyperammonaemia syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal complication.
• Appropriate specimens include Bronchial washings or tracheal aspirates
• Transport to laboratory urgently (ideally within 2 hours)
• Notify the laboratory in advance, as specialised culture is required

All other specimens: Please contact the Clinical Microbiologist

Contact Information