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Category: Clinical Microbiology
Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma, Page 1 of 2
< Previous page | Next page > /docserver/preview/fulltext/10.1128/9781555817381/9781555817381.ch62-1.gif /docserver/preview/fulltext/10.1128/9781555817381/9781555817381.ch62-2.gifAbstract:
Class Mollicutes, which includes organisms in the genera Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma, represents a unique group of cell wall-less prokaryotes that are obligate parasites of humans, animals, plants, or insects and represent the smallest known free-living microorganisms. There are at least 16 species that have been isolated from humans, several of which are proven causes of diseases that affect primarily the respiratory or urogenital tracts, where they reside on mucosal surfaces and sometimes invade deeper tissues. The most important pathogens of humans are Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Ureaplasma parvum. Diagnostic test methods include culture, serology, and molecular-based assays. The slow growth rates and the fastidious growth requirements for some species such as M. genitalium and M. pneumoniae limits the use of culture for patient management purposes. However, for rapidly growing species such as M. hominis and Ureaplasma spp., culture is used for detection in clinical specimens, but specialized media and techniques are required that are not widely used in many clinical laboratories. Molecular-based assays are becoming more commonly available for detection of M. pneumoniae and are gradually supplanting serology for primary diagnosis of respiratory infections with this organism. Various methods of molecular strain typing have been described for the most important mycoplasmas of humans, mainly for epidemiological purposes. Antimicrobial resistance to commonly used drugs can occur in all of the human mycoplasmas. Standardized methods and quality control parameters have now been described for in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing for human mycoplasmas, making it possible to identify clinically significant drug resistance.
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Fried-egg-type colonies of Mycoplasma hominis up to 110 μm in diameter. Magnification, ×132.doi:10.1128/9781555817381.ch62.f1
Fried-egg-type colonies of Mycoplasma hominis up to 110 μm in diameter. Magnification, ×132.doi:10.1128/9781555817381.ch62.f1
Spherical colonies of Mycoplasma pneumoniae up to 100 μm in diameter. Magnification, ×126.doi:10.1128/9781555817381.ch62.f2
Spherical colonies of Mycoplasma pneumoniae up to 100 μm in diameter. Magnification, ×126.doi:10.1128/9781555817381.ch62.f2
Granular brown urease-positive colonies of Ureaplasma species 15 to 60 μm in diameter from a vaginal specimen growing on A8 agar. Magnification, ×100. doi:10.1128/9781555817381.ch62.f3
Granular brown urease-positive colonies of Ureaplasma species 15 to 60 μm in diameter from a vaginal specimen growing on A8 agar. Magnification, ×100. doi:10.1128/9781555817381.ch62.f3
Classification and some distinguishing features of mycoplasmas (class Mollicutes)
Classification and some distinguishing features of mycoplasmas (class Mollicutes)
Primary sites of colonization, metabolism, and pathogenicity of mollicutes of human origin a
Primary sites of colonization, metabolism, and pathogenicity of mollicutes of human origin a
Examples of test kits for detection of serum antibodies to M. pneumoniae sold in the United States a
Examples of test kits for detection of serum antibodies to M. pneumoniae sold in the United States a
MIC ranges of various antimicrobials for M. pneumoniae, M. hominis, M. fermentans, M. genitalium, and Ureaplasma spp. a
MIC ranges of various antimicrobials for M. pneumoniae, M. hominis, M. fermentans, M. genitalium, and Ureaplasma spp. a