MycoplasmaandUreaplasmacarriage in pregnant women: the prevalence of transmission from mother to newborn

Background MycoplasmaandUreaplasmahave been extensively studied for their possible impact on pregnancy, and their involvement in newborn diseases. This work examinedMycoplasmaandUreaplasmacarriage among gravidas women and newborns in Israel, as well as associations between carriage and demographic characteristics, risk factors, pregnancy outcomes, and newborn morbidity rates. Methods A total of 214 gravidas women were examined for vaginal pathogen carriage through standard culture and polymerase chain reaction assay. Pharyngeal swabs were collected from newborns of carrier mothers. Clinical and demographic data were collected and infected newborn mortality was monitored for 6 months. Results Nineteen mothers were carriers, with highest prevalence among younger women. Pathogen carriage rates were 2.32% forMycoplasma genitalium(Mg), 4.19% forUreaplasma parvum(Up) and 2.32% forUreaplasma urealyticum(Uu). Arab ethnicity was a statistically significant risk factor (p = 0.002). A higher prevalence was seen among women residing in cities as compared to villages. Thirteen (68%) newborns born to carrier mothers were carriers as well, with a higher prevalence among newborns of women delivering for the first time, compared to women that had delivered before. Infection rates among newborns were 20% forMg(p = 0.238), 100% forUp(p < 0.01), and 28.5% forUu (p = 0.058), with more male than female newborns being infected. No association was found between maternal carriage and newborn morbidity. Conclusions MaternalMycoplasmaorUreaplasmacarriage may be associated with ethnicity and settlement type. Further studies will be needed to identify factors underlying these associations and their implications on delivery.