Quantitative detection of Ureaplasma parvum (biovar 1) and Ureaplasma urealyticum (biovar 2) in urine specimens from men with and without urethritis by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported a significant association between Ureaplasma urealyticum (biovar 2) and nongonococcal urethritis (NGU). We also found that the presence of Ureaplasma parvum (biovar 1) in the male urethra might be the result of colonization. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to clarify the pathogenic role of human Ureaplasma in NGU by assessing the association of bacterial loads with clinical findings and inflammatory responses in the urethra. STUDY DESIGN: The 16S rRNA gene of Ureaplasma was quantified by a TaqMan-based real-time polymerase chain reaction assay in first-pass urine from 37 men with Ureaplasma-positive nonmycoplasmal nonchlamydial NGU (NMNCNGU) and 30 Ureaplasma-positive men without urethritis. RESULTS: U. urealyticum (biovar 2) loads in 23 men with NMNCNGU were significantly higher than those in 14 men without urethritis. However, U. parvum (biovar 1) loads did not differ significantly between 14 men with NMNCNGU and 20 men without urethritis. CONCLUSION: The association of increased U. urealyticum (biovar 2) loads with symptomatic urethritis suggests that U. urealyticum (biovar 2) may be a pathogen of NGU. Our results also suggest that the presence of U. parvum (biovar 1) may not be significant in the development of NGU.