Human mollicutes- a silent cause of pelvic infections and associated infertility - a review.

Human mollicutes, specifically Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealitycum and Ureaplasma parvum, are known commensals of the genital tract and have been implicated in urogenital infections, adverse pregnancy outcomes and possibly infertility. Traditionally, these organisms are not screened for in the workup of subfertile couples; hence, the burden of their association with infertility remains largely unknown, and they may be one of the many pieces in the puzzle of unexplained infertility. This review looks at the current evidence linking Mycoplasma spp. and Ureaplasma spp. to infertility in both women and men, outlines possible pathogenic mechanisms, and evaluates whether screening for these organisms should be incorporated into the work-up of subfertility.