Genital mycoplasmas revisited--an evaluation of a new culture medium.

The role of genital mycoplasmas as pathogens causing severe neonatal respiratory and central nervous system disease has been highlighted recently following publication of new data. These organisms are generally neglected by diagnostic laboratories in the United Kingdom, possibly due to the lack of a suitable commercially-available culture medium. We have evaluated the bioMerieux Mycoplasma-Lyo system using qualitative and quantitative studies and have found it to have suitable qualities and practical advantages for detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis.