title: DNA probes for the detection of mycoplasmas in genital specimens.
abstract: The utility of whole-genomic DNA probes for the detection of infections by genital mycoplasmas was investigated in 220 men attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic. In 144 patients, probe results were compared with quantitative culture results. The prevalence of Mycoplasma hominis was 11% by culture, whereas the prevalence of ureaplasmas was 38%. The M. hominis DNA probe detected 9 of 16 M. hominis culture-positive specimens and 2 of 128 culture-negative specimens. The Ureaplasma urealyticum DNA probe detected 36 of 57 U. urealyticum culture-positive specimens and 18 of 87 culture-negative specimens. Most of the probe-negative culture-positive specimens had colony counts of less than 10(3) organisms/ml of specimen. The DNA probe does not require viable organisms, and the probe-positive, culture-negative specimens suggest that false-negative cultures occurred, perhaps due to specimen handling or insensitivity of culture methods for some strains of mycoplasmas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hooton
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Stamm
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Kenny
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D009180:Mycoplasmatales Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D013048:Specimen Handling; D014509:Ureaplasma / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D014521:Urethra / Q000382:microbiology*; D014526:Urethritis / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial