DETECTION OF UREAPLASMA-UREALYTICUM IN ENDOTRACHEAL-TUBE ASPIRATES FROM NEONATES BY PCR

A PCR-based test was optimized for the detection of Ureaplasma urealyt icum from neonatal respiratory specimens, with primers directed agains t the multiple-banded antigen gene (L. J. Teng, X. Zheng, J. I. Glass, H. Watson, J. Tsai, and G. H. Cassell, J. Clin, Microbiol. 32:1464-14 69, 1994). Endotracheal tube aspirates (225) from 103 low-birth-weight neonates (<1,250 g) were taken, when possible, at days 0, 4, and 14 a fter birth and examined by culture and by PCR. Of 77 specimens positiv e by either method, 73 were detected by PCR and 60 were detected by cu lture. Overall, 36% of the neonates were positive for U. urealyticum b y either method. Of 16 patients with PCR-positive-culture-negative res ults, 13 had positive cultures at another sampling point, and one addi tional patient had a twin with positive cultures. Of 11 patients with day 0 specimens positive by PCR alone, 9 subsequently became culture p ositive, demonstrating the utility of this test in early detection. Mu ltiple serovars were present in over 50% of positive specimens, with s erovars 3 and 14 in combination being most prevalent. The amplicon siz e generated from the specimen by PCR correctly predicted the biovars i solated in over 85% of positive specimens. Thus, this PCR test was val uable in allowing early detection of U. urealyticum in neonatal respir atory specimens, as well as in providing biovar information.