Mycoplasma

• Mycoplasma pneumoniae

  A bacterial infection that can cause pneumonia
• Mycoplasma pneumoniae

  • Does not have a cell wall
  • Does not gram stain well
• Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

  1. Causes pneumonia

  2. Engulfs college students in airborne particles

  3. Causes coughing
• Populations prone to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections

  • College dorms
  • Military recruits
  • Prisons
• IgM antibodies


  • Form pentameric structures that look like snowflakes
  • Can cross-react and attack host red blood cells, leading to hemolysis
• IgM antibodies in Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections

  Cause bleeding and coagulation, especially at cold temperatures
• Nodules on chest X-ray


  Characteristic finding in Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia
• Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections

  Cause headaches
• Beta-lactams (including penicillins)


  Ineffective against Mycoplasma pneumoniae due to lack of cell wall
• Fluoroquinolones


  Effective treatment for Mycoplasma pneumoniae by targeting DNA
• Tetracyclines (e.g. doxycycline)


  Effective treatment for Mycoplasma pneumoniae by interfering with protein synthesis
• Macrolides


  Effective treatment for Mycoplasma pneumoniae by inhibiting protein synthesis
• A 23-year-old female college freshman presents with persistent fatigue, headaches, and cough, with several classmates having similar symptoms. Gram stain is negative, and organism only grows on Eaton agar.
• Azithromycin, a macrolide, is the most likely effective treatment for the suspected Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.