MYCOPLASMA INFECTION-- AN OVERVIEW

 OVERVIEW:  

     The name Mycoplasma, derived from the Greek mykes (fungus) and plasma (formed), was proposed in the 1950s, replacing the term pleuro pneumonia-like organisms (PPLO) referring to organisms similar to the causative agent of CBPP. It was later found that the fungus-like growth pattern of M. mycoides is unique to that species.

      The tiniest free-living organisms are Mycoplasma species. The lack of a cell wall distinguishes these organisms from other prokaryotes. Their biologic features, such as the lack of a Gram stain reaction, are mostly due to this trait. Many widely given antibiotic medicines, including beta-lactamases, have no susceptibility. Mycoplasma species are frequently seen in mucosa. They live extracellularly in the respiratory and urogenital tracts, rarely penetrating the submucosa unless immunosuppression or instrumentation is used, in which case they can enter the circulation and spread to a variety of organs and tissues..

      They're prokaryotes, but they don't have a cell wall. They do, however, have a distinct cell membrane that contains sterols, which aren't found in bacteria or viruses. Mycoplasma organisms have malleable membranes and are tiny (150-250 nm). Mycoplasma is named after the adaptability of bacterial forms that resemble fungal components.

HOW THEY DIFFER FROM BACTERIA?

·         ·  They have sterols in the cell membrane.

·         · They share no DNA homology with known bacteria.

·         · They have low guanine levels plus cytosine content.

·         · Their genome has a low molecular weight.

  · They exhibit no reversion to walled forms

HOW THEY DIFFER FROM VIRUS?

·          · They grow on cell- free media in vitro.

·          · They contain both RNA and DNA.

·          ·  They have both intracellular and extracellular parasitism in vivo.

CULTURING:

      Mycoplasma can be grown in both liquid and solid media. Temperatures of 35 to 370 degrees Celsius are ideal for growth. The growing medium should be supplemented with 20% horse or human serum. The colonies have the appearance of cooked eggs. After 2-6 days of incubation, the colonies appear. The colonies can range in size from 10 to 600 microns.

MYCOPLASMA INFECTION:

     Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a microscopic organism related to bacteria, causes mycoplasma infection, which is a respiratory ailment. The condition can affect anyone, but it is most common in older children and young people. Infections with Mycoplasma can happen at any time of year. Community-wide outbreaks are also possible. Infection with Mycoplasma is most common in the late summer and fall.

HOW MYCOPLASMA SPREAD?

    Mycoplasma is spread through contact with droplets from infected people's noses and throats, particularly when they cough or sneeze. Long-term close contact with an infected person is assumed to be necessary for transmission. Slowly, the virus spreads through families, schools, and institutions. The contagious period is usually less than 10 days, however it might be longer in some cases.

SYMPTOMS:

     Fever, cough, bronchitis, sore throat, headache, and exhaustion are all common symptoms. Pneumonia is a typical side effect of mycoplasma infection (sometimes called "walking pneumonia" because it is usually mild and rarely requires hospitalization). Otitis media (infection of the middle ear) is another possibility. Symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to a month.

TREATMENT:

     Treatment with antibiotics such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, or azithromycin is beneficial. Antibiotic therapy of minor symptoms is not often essential because mycoplasma infection frequently cures on its own.

PREVENTION:

•  When you cough or sneeze, use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose.
• Place used tissues in a trash can.
• Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands, if you don't have a tissue.
• Hands should be washed often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water aren't accessible.

IS MYCOPLASMA STD?

     Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is a microorganism that can cause sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). You can contract it by having sex with someone who is infected. You can catch MG from sexual contact or rubbing even if you don't go "all the way" with vaginal sex.