They are closely related to mycoplasmas as they lack a peptidoglycan cell wall, metabolize cholesterol, and require urea for ATP synthesis.

[6] U. parvum has four serotypes (-1, -3, -6, -14) that were differentiated by variations in the MBA gene, a Ureaplasma surface antigen protein.

[8] The clinical implications concerning the pathogenicity of U. parvum have yet to be determined because of its recent establishment as a separate species from U. urealyticum.

It is important for future studies to accurately differentiate between U. urealyticum and U. parvum, as this will aid in the etiological analysis of NGU and other diseases.

Ureaplasma parvum is commensal in both males and females, where it attaches itself to the mucosal lining of the urogenital tract.

[citation needed] U. parvum has been investigated as an opportunistic pathogen, however current studies question its contribution to urogenital infections.

This study supports the symbiotic considerations between vaginal microflora (primarily normal and bacterial vaginosis) and mycoplasma such as U. parvum.

Similarly, links to prostatitis and infertility are difficult to establish due to its presence in control groups.

isolates have been detected in semen via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunofluorescent antibody assay.