Characteristics of Mycoplasma Bacteria
The Mycoplasma genus of bacteria consists of a number of different species. According to the Mayo Clinic, Mycoplasma pneumoniae is one of the species of bacteria responsible for a mild form of the lung infection pneumonia 2. People infected with the Mycoplasma bacteria may also experience sore throat or bronchitis.
Classification
The Mycoplasma genus of bacteria are grouped in the phylum Tenericutes, class Mollicutes, order Mycoplasmatales and family Mycoplasmataceae. All members of Mollicutes lack a cell wall and have a characteristically small genome. The genome, which contains all the DNA of the organism, codes for proteins that have varying functions.
Lack of Cell Wall
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The most striking characteristic of the bacteria in the genus Mycoplasma is the lack of a cell wall. Cell walls in bacteria help to give the cell structure. Survival of Mycoplasma bacteria against certain antibiotics is robust, as many antibiotics target the bacterial cell wall to help kill off an infection. The lack of a cell wall also makes Mycoplasma more susceptible to lysis, or the explosion of the cell, by osmotic imbalance. In an osmotic imbalance, a higher number of particles on either the outside or inside of the cell causes water to flow into or out of the cell, resulting in deformation and the possible destruction of the cell.
- The most striking characteristic of the bacteria in the genus Mycoplasma is the lack of a cell wall.
- Survival of Mycoplasma bacteria against certain antibiotics is robust, as many antibiotics target the bacterial cell wall to help kill off an infection.
Cell Morphology
At about 100 to 200 micrometers in diameter, Mycoplasma cells are some of the smallest bacteria ever discovered. Such a small size can present problems in filtration sterilization techniques. Mycoplasma requires an outside source of cholesterol, usually obtained from the foods humans digest, for cell biosynthesis. Cholesterol in the plasma membrane has special importance in bacteria that lack a cell wall, to help maintain cell rigidity.
- At about 100 to 200 micrometers in diameter, Mycoplasma cells are some of the smallest bacteria ever discovered.
- Cholesterol in the plasma membrane has special importance in bacteria that lack a cell wall, to help maintain cell rigidity.
Infections
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In addition to pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, other Mycoplasma species cause infections in humans. Mycoplasma genitalium causes urogenital infections that may get passed on to a partner during unprotected sex. Mycoplasma gallisepticum causes chronic respiratory disease in many types of birds but is not a causative agent in human infection. Another nonhuman animal agent of infection, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, causes porcine enzootic pneumonia, or pneumonia in pigs and other livestock 2.
- In addition to pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, other Mycoplasma species cause infections in humans.
- Mycoplasma gallisepticum causes chronic respiratory disease in many types of birds but is not a causative agent in human infection.
Genetic Study
Mycoplasma has the distinct honor of having the first completely artificial genome implanted into a functioning bacterial cell. Scientists at the J. Craig Venter Institute synthesized a sequence of DNA and implanted it into a Mycoplasma cell that contained no DNA. The cell was then able to use the information coded on the artificial DNA to complete DNA replication and cell division.
Related Articles
References
- Maryland Infectious Disease & Environmental Health Administration: Mycoplasma Fact Sheet
- Mayo Clinic: Pneumonia Causes
- "Microbiology: 6th Edition"; Lansing Prescott, John Harley and Donald Klein; 2005
- Ohio State University: Bacteria Cell Shapes and Arrangements
- CNET: Scientists create synthetic cell, version 1.0
- Sethi S, Singh G, Samanta P, Sharma M. Mycoplasma genitalium: an emerging sexually transmitted pathogen. Indian J Med Res. 2012;136(6):942-55.
- Keane FE, Thomas BJ, Whitaker L, Renton A, Taylor-robinson D. An association between non-gonococcal urethritis and bacterial vaginosis and the implications for patients and their sexual partners. Genitourin Med. 1997;73(5):373-7.
- National Health Services. New guidelines issued on the 'STI most people have never heard of.' Updated July 11, 2018.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2015 sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines. Updated June 4, 2015.
- Bradshaw CS, Jensen JS, Tabrizi SN, et al. Azithromycin failure in Mycoplasma genitalium urethritis. Emerging Infect Dis. 2006;12(7):1149-52. doi:10.3201/eid1207.051558
- Bradshaw CS, Jensen JS, Waites KB. New horizons in mycoplasma genitalium treatment. J Infect Dis. 2017;216(suppl_2):S412-S419. doi:10.1093/infdis/jix132
- Vincent LR, Jerse AE. Biological feasibility and importance of a gonorrhea vaccine for global public health. Vaccine. 2019;37(50):7419-7426. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.02.081
- Otieno FO, Ndivo R, Oswago S, et al. Evaluation of syndromic management of sexually transmitted infections within the Kisumu Incidence Cohort Study. Int J STD AIDS. 2014;25(12):851-859. doi:10.1177/0956462414523260
- Tosh AK, Van Der Pol B, Fortenberry JD, et al. Mycoplasma genitalium among adolescent women and their partners. J Adolesc Health. 2007;40(5):412-417. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.12.005
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2015. Updated December 27, 2019.
- Unemo M, Nicholas RA. Emergence of multidrug-resistant, extensively drug-resistant and untreatable gonorrhea. Future Microbiol. 2012 Dec;7(12):1401-22. doi:10.2217/fmb.12.117
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Writer Bio
Ryan Mac is a freelance writer from Omaha who has been writing since 2009. His specialties include health topics, such as ultra-violet radiation and its effects on one's health, as well as marine microbiology. He holds a Master of Science in molecular biology and a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences from the University of Nebraska.