1. MYCOPLASMAS Prof. Khalifa Sifaw Ghenghesh
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
MYCOPLASMAS
Prof. Khalifa Sifaw Ghenghesh

2. Pleomorphic organisms
No cell wall
Resistant to antibiotics act on bacterial cell wall synthesis and to lysozyme
Require animal protein (blood serum) and sterol for cultivation
On agar
Colonies have “fried egg” appearance
Two Important genera
Mycoplasma
Ureaplasma

3. Mycoplasma pneumoniae colonies (40X)

4. Mycoplasma pneumoniae

5. Mycoplasma & Ureaplasma
Important species associated with human disease
M. fermentans
M. genitalium
M. hominis
M. pneumoniae
Ureaplasma urealyticum

6. Pathogenesis 1. Respiratory Infections Primary atypical pneumonia
M. pneumoniae
Respiratory infection in the newborn
M. hominis and U. urealyticum
Other respiratory infection
M. hominis and M. fermentans?

7. 2. Urogenital Infections Mainly M. hominis and U. urealyticum
Urogenital infections in men >> NGU
Urinary infection and calculi
Acute pylonephritis
Patients with infective stones
Reproductive tract disease in women
Bacterial vaginosis
PID
Disease associated with pregnancy and newborn

8. U. Urealyticum and M. genitalium
3. Joint Infections
U. Urealyticum and M. genitalium
Sexually acquired reactive arthritis
Reiter’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis
4. Infection in the Immuno-
compromised
M. penumoniae, M. hominis and ureaplasms
Severe pneumonia, arthritis, persistent urethritis and chronic cystitis

9. Laboratory Diagnosis 1. Respiratory Infections
Specific serological test
Complement fixation test
Isolation of M. pneumoniae
Specimen: sputum, throat washing, pharyngeal swab
Specific selective liquid and solid media
Requires up to 3 weeks incubation?
PCR

10. 2. Urogenital Infections
Isolation of the causative organism
Specimen: Urethral, cervical or vaginal swabs
Specific selective liquid media
Culture on solid media
Serological tests
For definitive identification
PCR
DNA primers used for amplification by PCR

11. Treatment 1. Respiratory Infections 2. Urogenital Infections
M. pneumoniae
Tetracycline, Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, Ciprofloxacin
2. Urogenital Infections
Tetracyclines, Erythromycin plus clindamycin