Role of genital mycoplasmas in young infants with suspected sepsis

To establish the prevalence of Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum in infants up to 3 months of age with suspected sepsis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine specimens from 203 patients with clinical signs and symptoms of sepsis were cultured for Mycoplasma in addition to routine bacterial cultures. Proved bacterial infections were identified in 24 patients, four of whom had bacteremia. M. hominis and U. urealyticum were not isolated from any of the 191 blood and 199 CSF specimens tested. Of 170 specimens of urine cultured for Mycoplasma, M. hominis was isolated in six patients, U. urealyticum in nine patients, and both organisms in one patient. Twelve of the positive cultures were voided urine specimens, and four were suprapubic bladder aspiration specimens. Genital mycoplasmas appear to be uncommon causes of sepsis or meningitis in young infants. Further studies are required to assess their role in abnormal conditions of the urinary tract in childhood.