Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization in the vaginal introitus and cervix ofhuman immunodeficiency virus-infected women

Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization was examined in paired cervical and int roital specimens from 56 untreated HIV-seropositive women. Specimens were t ested for U. urealyticum by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Peripheral blo od was examined for CD4 lymphocyte counts and HIV RNA concentration. U. ure alyticum was detected in the cervix of 38 (69.1%) women. Introital U. ureal yticum was present in 16 (28.6%) women, all of whom were cervical-positive. Cervical motion pain was present in 40.0% of women with U. urealyticum in the introitus and cervix, 23.8% of those with only cervical LT. urealyticum and 5.9% of women negative for this organism (P = 0.03). There was no rela tion between U. urealyticum colonization and CD4 lymphocyte count. However, 64.3% of women with introital U. urealyticum had circulating HIV RNA level s >10,000 copier; per mi as compared with 28.6% of women with only cervical U. urealyticum and 7.1% of women negative for this organism (P < 0.01).