Serological investigation of Ureaplasma urealyticum in Korean preterm infants

• Published in: Korean journal of pediatrics 2013-11, Vol.56 (11), p.477-481
• Main Authors: Eun, Ho Seon, Lee, Soon Min, Park, Min Soo, Park, Kook In, Namgung, Ran, Lee, Chul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Original
• ISSN: 1738-1061; 2092-7258
• DOI: 10.3345/kjp.2013.56.11.477

Ureaplasma colonization is related with perinatal complications in preterm infants. Little is known about the difference in virulence among various Ureaplasma urealyticum serovars. The aim of this study was to determine U. urealyticum serovars of preterm infants in order to assess whether any of the serovars were associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Three hundred forty-four preterm infants with a gestational age less than 34 weeks admitted to Gangnam Severance Hospital neonatal intensive care unit from July 2011 to December 2012 were included in this study. Tracheal and gastric aspirations were conducted on infants to confirm Ureaplasma colonization. Ureaplasma colonization was confirmed in 9% of infants, of these, serovars were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. A total of 31 infants (gestational age, 29.3±3.1 weeks; birth weight, 1,170±790 g) were U. urealyticum positive. The Ureaplasma positive group treated for more days with oxygen and ventilation than the negative group (P