Ureaplasma urealyticum - Classification, Characteristics, Habitat, Disease

Classification of Ureaplasma urealyticum

The classification of Ureaplasma urealyticum is:

Domain: Bacteria

Phylum: Mycoplasmatota

Class: Mollicutes

Order: Mycoplasmatales

Family: Mycoplasmataceae

Genus: Ureaplasma

Species: urealyticum

Characteristics of Ureaplasma urealyticum

Ureaplasma urealyticum causes urogenital tract infections. i.e. non-gonococcal urethritis. The bacterium requires urea, and cholesterol for growth but lacks a cell wall. The hydrolysis of urea causes ammonia as a byproduct.

It produces minute colonies measuring 15-50 μm and the bacteria are also called T-strain. Some of the diseases caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum include:

• Chorioamnionitis

• PID in women

• cervicitis

• acute salpingitis

• urethritis

• procitis

• balanopothitis

• Reiter’s syndrome in men

Habitat of Ureaplasma urealyticum

Ureaplasma urealyticum commonly habitat the urogenital tracts of human beings. However, sometimes Ureaplasma urealyticum can overgrow which can lead to infections that cause the patient discomfort.