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Access Type
WSU Access
Date of Award
January 2023
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Department
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
First Advisor
Kevin Theis
Abstract
Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Of the cases of preterm birth caused by infection, Ureaplasma bacteria are among the most frequently identified bacteria. Ureaplasmas are classified amongst CST IV taxa, which are associated with poor clinical outcome. However, the exact mechanism behind ureaplasmas’ ability to evade the immune system and facilitate these deleterious outcomes has yet to be fully elucidated. In the first chapter, which is a review of the current understanding of ureaplasmas, we discussed their virulence factors and how preterm birth is likely facilitated by ureaplasmas that are colonized within proximity to the uteral myometrium of a pregnant woman. In the second chapter, we analyzed the relationships between genital mycoplasmas, including ureaplasmas, in a relative abundance context. In short, this analysis elucidates the potential impact in which the quantity of one taxon may have on another taxon. Additionally, the second chapter depicts side-by-side comparisons of analyses carried out with 16S rRNA gene vs metagenomics data.
Recommended Citation
Millikin, Dylan, "The Pathogenicity Of Genital Ureaplasma Bacteria" (2023). Wayne State University Theses. 907.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_theses/907