Mycoplasma hominis/Ureaplasma Culture
Use
This culture test is used to establish the diagnosis of Ureaplasma urealyticum and/or Mycoplasma hominis infections in suspected cases of urethritis, cervicitis, and other genitourinary or sterile body site infections. Culture may help guide specific antibiotic choice when these organisms are implicated.
Special Instructions
Respiratory specimens are acceptable only from children under 1 year old and must be specified in Epic, on the specimen, and on the batch sheet. Do not use M4RT; submit specimens in VCM tube or equivalent. Indicate source clearly. Ship specimens frozen on dry ice; room temperature transport is not acceptable.
Limitations
Culture may be negative despite infection. Presence of organisms does not always indicate disease, given high asymptomatic carriage rates. Specimens collected on wooden-shaft or calcium alginate swabs, in expired or molecular transport media, or preserved urine are rejected. Respiratory specimens from patients older than 1 year unacceptable.
Methodology
Culture-based
Biomarkers
Result Turnaround Time
7-8 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Buccal Swab
Volume
1‑3 mL or 1 swab
Minimum Volume
1 mL or 1 Swab
Container
VCM tube or FDA‑approved equivalent transport medium
Collection Instructions
Urogenital (vaginal, cervical, urethral swab or secretions) or urine, sterile body fluids, tissue, wounds. Respiratory (sputum, BAL, tracheobronchial secretions, nasopharyngeal or throat swabs) only if <1 year old.
Storage Instructions
Ship frozen on dry ice; refrigerate up to 48 hours prior to shipping.
Causes for Rejection
Specimens on wooden-shaft or calcium alginate swabs; expired transport system; formalin‑fixed tissue; urine with preservatives; M4RT transport medium; room temperature samples; respiratory specimens from patients >1 year old.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | Unacceptable |
| Refrigerated | 48 Hours |
| Frozen | 30 Days |