RT Book, Section A1 Randis, Tara M. A1 Ratner, Adam J. A2 Kline, Mark W. SR Print(0) ID 1182936946 T1 Ureaplasma urealyticum Infections T2 Rudolph's Pediatrics, 23e YR 2018 FD 2018 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9781259588594 LK accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1182936946 RD 2024/03/29 AB Shepard first described Ureaplasma urealyticum in 1954 after recovery of these organisms from male patients with nongonococcal urethritis. Initially referred to as T-strain (“tiny strain”) mycoplasma, these pleomorphic organisms measure less than 500 nm in diameter, lack a cell wall, and are classified as members of the family Mycoplasmataceae. Ureaplasma differ from other Mycoplasmataceae in that they produce urease and therefore are capable of generating adenosine triphosphate from hydrolysis of urea. This activity serves as the primary energy source for Ureaplasma. U urealyticum has historically been subtyped into 14 serovars. However, recent molecular characterization of these serovars has resulted in a reclassification of U urealyticum into 2 distinct species: U parvum (serovars 1, 3, 6, and 14) and U urealyticum (serovars 2, 4, 5, and 7–13).