Clinical and Microbiological Features of Postoperative Extragenitourinary Mycoplasma hominis Infections: A Retrospective Analysis of Three Cases

Abstract Objective To characterize the clinical and microbiological features of postoperative extragenitourinary Mycoplasma hominis (M. hominis) infections and to provide a reference for optimizing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on three cases of postoperative M. hominis infection diagnosed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) at our hospital between December 2023 and May 2025. Clinical characteristics, microbiological findings, and diagnostic and therapeutic data were collected and analyzed. The isolates were further confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results All three cases of M. hominis infection occurred at surgical incision sites. The predominant clinical manifestations were delayed wound healing accompanied by persistent purulent discharge. No characteristic bacterial morphology was observed by Gram staining. After 48 h of incubation on Columbia blood agar, small, pinpoint, translucent colonies were observed. All three isolates were identified as M. hominis by MALDI-TOF MS and confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Conclusion Postoperative M. hominis infection lacks specific clinical manifestations and is easily missed by conventional bacteriological examination. The combination of MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing enables rapid and accurate identification of M. hominis. M. hominis infection should be considered in patients with persistently non-healing wounds, negative results on conventional bacterial culture, and poor response to empirical antibiotic therapy.