Mycoplasmas

Mycoplasmas A group of the smallest organisms that can be

free-living in nature, Pass bacterial filter and also grow on laborat

ory media. More than 80 species, belong to Mycoplasmatales of Mollicute. 3 families can be divided:

Mycoplasmataceae (require external cholesterol during growth, contain Mycoplasma and Ureplasma two genera);

Acholeplasmataceae (need not external cholesterol during growth);

Spiroplasmataceae (can form spiral structure).

ORGANISM

Genus: Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma Species: M. pneumoniae: Upper respiratory tract disease, tracheobronc

hitis, atypical pneumonia M. hominis: Pyelonephritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, postp

artum fever M. genitalium: Nongonococcl urethritis M.penetraus, U. urealyticum: Nongonococcl urethritis

Morphology The smallest among prokaryotic microganism

s with circular dsDNA, usually 0.2-0.3um in size; lack of cell wall;

Pleomorphic, spherical, short rod, filament; Gram negative, but stained hardly, usually use Giemsa stain.

Morphology

They can assume multiple shapes including round, pear shaped and even filamentous.

"fried egg" colonial

morphology.

BIOLOGICAL FEATURES

Motility: Motile by possible release and reattachment of terminal cell organelle; no flagella present; possess a protein attachment factor termed P1 that interacts with a specific cellular receptor and allows adherence to respiratory epithelium.

Respiration-Fermentation: Aerobes-anaerobes.

Culture

Most aerobic; require 10%-20% human or animal serum added to basic nutrient media except Acholeplasma; typical colony show fried egg apperance.

Many species are part of the normal flora These organisms are a frequent cell culture contamin

ant

The organisms have limited biosynthetic abilities; they require cholesterol for their cell membrane and can generate energy via the breakdown of arginine

Ureaplasma requires urea to produce an electrochemical gradient; urea is converted to ammonia to produce ATP.

GENETICS

These bacteria have the smallest genome of any prokaryote ( about 20% that of E. coli) and the lowest G C content (about 24%).

Resistance

Sensitive to osmotic presssureresistant to thallium acetate醋酸亚铊 in a concentration of 1:10000 which can inhibit bacteria

Transmission

M. pneumoniae is spread by close contact via aerosolized droplets and thus is most easily spread in confined populations (e.g., families, schools, army barracks).

PATHOGENESIS

Adherence factors - The P1 Adhesin localizes at tips of the bacterial cells and binds to sialic acid residues on host epithelial cells.The nature of the adhesins in the other species has not been established. Colonization of the respiratory tract by M. pneumoniae results in the cessation of ciliary movement.

Toxic Metabolic Products Immunopathogenesis : most children are infected from 2

- 5 years of age but disease is most common in children 5-15 years of age.

Clinical Findings

M.pneumoniae primary atypical pneumonia. Incubation: 1-3 weeks This disease can range from subclinical to bron

chopneumonia, often with a gradual onset and mild to moderate severity. A long convalescence (4-6 weeks) and several possible complications (CNS, cardiac) follow acute disease.

Clinical Findings

U. urealyticum, M.hominis, M.genitalium are responsible for one form of nongonococcal urethritis.

M. hominis is associated with pyelonephritis, pelvic inflammatory disease and post-partum fevers.

HOST DEFENSES

Host defenses are not well characterized but probably involve both humoral and cell mediated responses.

EPIDEMIOLOGY Mycoplasma affect a specific age distribution (5-9

year olds) and represent 8-15% of all pneumonias in school age children.

Disease occurs worldwide, is endemic in some areas and is spread by close personal contact (schools, families).

U. urealyticum is sexually acquired.

Antibody titers in different age groups. Anti-mycoplasma pneumoniae antibodies indicate pneumonia caused by this organism is highest in the 5-15 year age group

Acquired Pneumonia Caused by Mycoplasma

pneumoniae

Microbiological diagnosis

Specimens: throat swab, sputum, genital secretion, etc.

Microscopy - This is not particularly useful because of the absence of a cell wall but it can be helpful in eliminating other possible pathogens.

Culture - Sputum (usually scant) or throat washings must be sent to the laboratory in special transport medium. It may take 2 -3 weeks to get a positive identification. Culture is essential for a definitive diagnosis.

Complement fixation test Cold agglutinins - Approximately 34% - 68% of patients with M.

pneumoniae infection develop cold agglutinins. ELISA - There is a new ELISA for IgM that has been used for di

agnosis of acute infection. PCR

The antibodies of cold agglutinins arise before the comple

ment fixing antibodies and they decline faster

CONTROL Sanitary: Avoidance of contacts, if possible. Immunological: No single vaccine is availa

ble. Natural resistance follows infection. Chemotherapeutic: Tetracycline,erythromy

cin or chloramphenicol are effective.

Mycoplasma and L Form Bacteria

MYCOPLASMA L-FORM BACTERIA

No genetic relationship with bacteria

Relate to their parent bacteria ,sometimes can revert

Cholesterol for their cell membrane

No cholesterol for their cell membrane

Stable in ordinary medium Need hyperosmotic solution

Grow slowly, colony small (diameter 0.1-0.3mm)

Colony larger(diameter 0.5-1.0mm)

Low turbidity in liquid medium

High turbidity in liquid medium ,may adhere to the wall or bottom of the tube