Mycoplasma

• What is the family name of the smallest, free-living bacteria known as "Mollicutes"?

  Mycoplasmataceae
• What is a key characteristic of Mycoplasmataceae bacteria regarding their cell structure?

  They are cell wall free.
• What shapes can Mycoplasmataceae bacteria take?

  They can be round, pear-shaped, or filamentous.
• What significant component is found in the cell membrane of Mycoplasmataceae?

  Sterol
• Why are Mycoplasmataceae not stained with Gram stain?

  They lack a cell wall.
• Which stains can be used to visualize Mycoplasmataceae?

  Fluorescent stain or Giemsa stain
• Why are Mycoplasmataceae not susceptible to antibiotics that act on the cell wall?

  Because they do not have a cell wall.
• What are the two genera contained in Mycoplasmataceae?


  Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma
• What disease is caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae?

  Primary atypical pneumonia
• What type of infection is caused by Mycoplasma hominis and Mycoplasma genitalium?

  Genitourinary infection
• What does Ureaplasma urealyticum produce that distinguishes it from other mycoplasmas?

  Urease
• What condition does Ureaplasma urealyticum cause?

  Non-gonococcal urethritis
• How do Mycoplasma pneumoniae pathogens adhere to host cells?

  They adhere to respiratory epithelial cell surfaces.
• What is the role of the P1 adhesin in Mycoplasma pneumoniae?

  It binds to sialic acid residues on host epithelial cells.
• What effect does Mycoplasma pneumoniae have on ciliary action in the respiratory tract?

  It interferes with ciliary action.
• What is produced by Mycoplasma pneumoniae that leads to necrosis of the epithelium?

  Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
• What are cold agglutinins in the context of Mycoplasma pneumoniae?

  IgM autoantibodies against type O red blood cells that agglutinate at 4°C.
• What is the typical age range for children affected by Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections?

  1. 15 years
• How is Mycoplasma pneumoniae typically acquired?

  Through aerosol droplets.
• What is atypical pneumonia often referred to as?

  Walking pneumonia
• What are the differences between typical pneumonia and atypical pneumonia?

  • Typical pneumonia: caused by typical bacteria, responds to common antibiotics, shows signs of lobar consolidation, prominent leukocytosis, easily isolated causative agents.
  • Atypical pneumonia: caused by atypical bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi, does not respond to common antibiotics, lacks signs of lobar consolidation, absence of leukocytosis, difficult to isolate causative agents.
• What are some extra-pulmonary manifestations of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection?


  Haemolytic anemia, myocarditis, pericarditis, meningoencephalitis, Steven-Johnson syndrome, arthritis, transverse myelitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome.
• What specimens are used for diagnosing Mycoplasma pneumoniae?

  Sputum or throat swabs
• What type of agar is used for culturing Mycoplasma pneumoniae?

  Eoton’s Agar
• What is a characteristic appearance of Mycoplasma pneumoniae colonies on Eoton’s Agar?

  Fried egg appearance
• What are some serological tests used for diagnosing Mycoplasma pneumoniae?

  Complement fixation test, immunofluorescence, cold agglutinin detection, PCR.
• What are the main treatments for Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections?

  Erythromycin, azithromycin, doxycycline.
• What is the role of Mycoplasma hominis in the human body?

  It is a normal inhabitant of the genital tract, especially in females.
• What conditions can Mycoplasma hominis cause?

  Postpartum fever and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
• What distinguishes Ureaplasma urealyticum from other mycoplasmas?

  Its production of urease.
• What sexually transmitted infection is caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum?

  Urethritis
• What syndrome is associated with Ureaplasma urealyticum?

  Reiter’s syndrome
• What are the treatments for infections caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum?

  Tetracyclines, erythromycin, or ciprofloxacin.