Mycoplasma, & Ureaplasma Species MLAB 2434 – Microbiology Keri Brophy-Martinez

Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma Species General Characteristics Once thought to be viruses because of size Mycoplasmas are the smallest free-living organism in nature Four human pathogens Mycoplasma pneumoniae - respiratory Mycoplasma hominis - urogenital Ureaplasma urealyticum – urogenital Ureaplasma parvum- urogenital

Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma Species (cont’d) Lack a cell wall Pleomorphic organisms Resistant to cell-wall-active antibiotics) Susceptible to heat and drying Slow growing, highly fastidious, facultative anaerobes Require complex media for growth

Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma Species (cont’d) Pathogens of respiratory and urogenital tracts Transmission Direct sexual contact Mother-child exposure during delivery or in utero Respiratory secretions/aerosols Nosocomial (transplanted tissues)

Clinical Infections Mycoplasma pneumoniae Causes bronchitis, pharyngitis, or primary atypical pneumonia (a.k.a. “walking pneumonia”) Usually infects school-age children and young adults in close quarters (dorms, military barracks, etc.) 50% of infections produce “cold agglutinins” Most often diagnosed by serologic evaluation and/ or PCR

M. hominis & Ureaplasma species Most often associated with urogenital tract infections May be isolated from asymptomatic individuals Can be transmitted to the fetus at delivery Opportunistic pathogens

Laboratory Diagnosis Cultures must be delivered immediately to the lab, because the organisms are very susceptible to drying Should be placed in transport media Swabs should be of Dacron, polyester or calcium alginate with a plastic or aluminum shaft If not plated immediately, should be frozen at -70°C Most infections detected via serologic evaluation or PCR

References Kiser, K. M., Payne, W. C., & Taff, T. A. (2011). Clinical Laboratory Microbiology: A Practical Approach. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education. Mahon, C. R., Lehman, D. C., & Manuselis, G. (2011). Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology (4th ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Saunders.