RT Book, Section A1 Randis, Tara M. A1 Ratner, Adam J. A2 Rudolph, Colin D. A2 Rudolph, Abraham M. A2 Lister, George E. A2 First, Lewis R. A2 Gershon, Anne A. SR Print(0) ID 7028520 T1 Chapter 292. Ureaplasma Urealyticum Infections T2 Rudolph's Pediatrics, 22e YR 2011 FD 2011 PB The McGraw-Hill Companies PP New York, NY SN 978-0-07-149723-7 LK accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=7028520 RD 2024/10/03 AB Shepard first described Ureaplasma urealyticum in 1954 after recovery of these organisms from male patients with nongonococcal urethritis.1 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 Mycoplasmatacea.2Ureaplasma differ from other Mycoplasmatacea 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. Ureaplasma 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).3