U. parvum MBA

Ureaplasma species are bacteria belonging to the class Mollicutes. They are opportunistic pathogens that commonly inhabit the human urogenital tract; they lack a peptidoglycan layer and hydrolyze urea. Ureaplasma species can be classified into two major groups: U. parvum (serovars 1, 3, 6, and 14) and U. urealyticum (serovars 2, 4, 5, and 7 to 13). U. parvum has been implicated in the morbidity and mortality of newborns. U. parvum serovar 3 is the most prevalent serovar detected in reproductive humans. The multiple banded antigen (MBA) is a predicted virulence factor of Ureaplasma species.