Scottsdale, AZ (UroToday.com) Dr. Souder introduces research with Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma which are often evaluated in patients with irritative lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Specific species are involved with nongonococcal urethritis but the evidence is not clear about the association with irritative LUTS.
The objective of their research is to use quantitative PCR (q PCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) to compare Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma association with irritative LUTS. She explains the methodology: clean catch urine samples were obtained from asymptomatic and symptomatic patients, these patients completed a validated questionnaire (GUPI), qPCR was used to detect the DNA of the organisms and NGR was used to quantify the abundance. 179 patients were included, 41 female and 37 male with irritative LUTS and 35 males and 66 females were controlled.
They find that Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma species are identified in both groups, however, there was a negative correlation with symptoms. The authors are in agreement with guidelines that recommend against screening for these species in the absence of signs of infection. Screening can lead to increased cost and potential harm.
An audience member asked if these patients were treated? These patients were not treated. Dr. Ackerman, a co-author on the research suggests that literature states a wide range of symptom improvement 20-90% with treatment, oftentimes it is temporary and will recur after antibiotic treatment.
Presented by: Colby Perkins Souders, MD, Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Hospital, Los Angeles, California