Pathogenicity of Ureaplasma Urealyticum and Ureaplasma Parvum in the Lower Genital Tract of Female BALB/c Mice

The study aimed to establish a murine model of lower genital tract infection by Ureaplasma urealyticum and Ureaplasma parvum in female BALB/c mice and evaluate the pathogenicity of five serotypes. The study involved 35 mice divided into seven groups, with five groups infected with different serotypes and two control groups. All infected mice tested positive for the bacteria, and there was a marked increase in TNF-α expression at 7 and 14 days post-infection compared to controls. Morphological changes included hair loss and erosions, and histological examination showed inflammatory cell infiltration. All serotypes were pathogenic, with serotype 4 being the most pathogenic.