A study of the risk factors for Ureaplasma urealyticum infection and the predictive role of immunoinflammation

Abstract

Introduction: Despite increasing awareness on the prevention of Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu) infection, the high-risk factors responsible for infection in female patients in China are yet to be determined.

Methodology: The study included 3043 Chinese women. Cervical secretion samples were collected for Uu identification.

Results: Higher age groups (25–30, 30–35, 35–40, and >40 years) had a higher risk of Uu infection (OR = 1.46; OR = 1.51; OR = 1.71; OR = 2.49, respectively). Being literate, and use of intrauterine device (IUD), or other contraceptive methods could reduce the risk of Uu infection (OR = 0.64; OR = 0.79; OR = 0.76, respectively). Women with low level of cleanliness or promiscuous behavior had a higher risk of Uu infection (OR = 1.42; OR = 1.41, respectively). Among the Uu-positive patients, 66.84%, 24.81%, and 8.35% were infected with biovars 1, 2, and coinfection. The predominant subtypes were S6 serotypes (28.91%) in biovar 1 and S2` subtypes (62.73%) in biovar 2. The possibility of S1 + S6 infection was lower than that in S1 patients (OR = 0.529). C-reactive protein (CRP) and systemic immune inflammation index (SII) could be used to predict Uu infection (area under curve, AUC = 0.55; AUC = 0.68, respectively).

Conclusions: Uu-positive patients were infected with two biovars and multiple subtypes. Age, method of contraception, cleanliness, education level, promiscuity, and subtypes of Uu were factors influencing Uu infection. CRP and SII provide a new strategy for clinical diagnosis of Uu infection.