Abstract: Objective: To compare the application of liquid culture, PCR and SAT in the diagnosis of Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu). Methods: Uu was detected from specimens?of 77 males’urethra and 23 females’cervix by liquid culture, PCR and SAT. Results: The Uu was detected in 100 specimens, giving a positivity rate of 29%. Out of the 29 positive specimens, 15 (19.48%) were from males and 14 (60.87%) were from females. The sensitivity of SAT was 100% which was higher than liquid culture (89.66%) and PCR (86.21%). However, there were no significant differences among the three methods (P>0.05). The specificity of SAT was 84.50% which was lower than liquid culture (98.59%) and PCR (98.59%), with significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion: Liquid culture, PCR and SAT can be used in the detection of Uu. SAT has higher?sensitivity and lower specificity, which is more suitable?for detecting?low?concentration of Uu.

Key words: liquid culture, PCR, SAT, ureaplasma urealyticum