Clinical use
Detection of Ureaplasma spp.
Background
Ureaplasma is a bacterium that lives naturally in the respiratory, urinary and reproductive tracts of both men and women. It can be passed through sexual contact but is not always considered to be a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the same way that others are.
Two reference laboratories are used for Ureaplasma investigation. Microbiology at James Cook University Hospital refer the sample to the most appropriate lab.
Specimen requirements
- UKHSA Colindale for PCR and/or culture: White topped sterile container
- Samples accepted: Respiratory specimens, CSF, joint and wound aspirates
- Micropathology Ltd for PCR: sterile container
- Samples accepted: Urine, genital swab, thin preps*.
- Neonates only: nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA), ET secretions
Minimum volume
200µl
Turnaround time
- UKHSA RVPBRU:
- PCR: 5 days
- Culture: up to 42 days
- Micropathology Ltd:
- PCR: 2 days
Analysing laboratory
UKHSA Colindale Bacteriology: RVPBRU (Respiratory and vaccine preventable bacteria reference unit), UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ
Additional information
Testing at Micropathology Ltd:
*Thin preps are NOT UKAS accredited. Application to be submitted for UKAS accreditation. Some tests results reported for Adenovirus, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasmoides pneumoniae are generated using the NxTAG® Respiratory Pathogen Panel. These are not UKAS accredited. An application is to be submitted for UKAS accreditation for these two tests.