Chapter 1.16 Bacteria Without Cell Walls

Question 1

What is unique about mycoplasma?

Answer 1

capable of self-replication
lack peptidoglycan cell wall
cell membrane packed with sterols 
can contort into many shapes 
ineffectiveness of antibiotics

Question 2

What are the 2 pathogenic species of mycoplasmataceae?

Answer 2

Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Ureaplasma urealyticum

Question 3

What diseases are caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae?

Answer 3

mild, self-limited bronchitis and pneumonia

Question 4

Who is the mycoplasma pneumoniae most common in?

Answer 4

teenagers and young adults

Question 5

Where does transmission of mycoplasma pneumoniae occur?

Answer 5

respiratory system

Question 6

What is the clinical presentation of a patient with mycoplasma pneumoniae?

Answer 6

after 2-3 weeks- gradual onset of fever, sore throat, malaise, and persistant dry hacking cough

Question 7

What disease is referred to as the “walking pneumonia” and why?

Answer 7

disease caused by mycoplasma pneumoniae becuase the patients do not feel very sick

Question 8

What is the appearance of a chest X-ray of mycoplasma pneumoniae?

Answer 8

streaky infiltrate
*although a streaky infiltrate is more common with viral (atypical) pneumonia it is seen in mycoplasma pneumoniae which is a bacteria

Question 9

What is the Steves-Johnson syndrome?

Answer 9

skin reaction showing erythematous vesibles and bullae over mucocutaneous junctions of mouth, eyes and skin
*seen in mycoplasma pneumonia

Question 10

What are the diagnostic tests used for mycoplasma pneumoniae?

Answer 10

Cold agglutinins, Complement fixation test, sputum culture, Mycoplasma DNA probe, and PCR

Question 11

What is Cold agglutinins test?

Answer 11

positive in mycoplasma pneumoniae test with monoclonal IgM in RBCs in the cold – will clump together

Question 12

What is the appearance of mycobacterium pneumoniae in a sputum culture?

Answer 12

“fried-egg” appearance

do NOT form a halo but show round bumpy appearance called a mulberry

Question 13

Where is ureaplasma urealyticum found?

Answer 13

in the normal flora of most sexually active woman

Question 14

What infection can ureaplasma urealyticum cause?

Answer 14

urethritis characterized by burning on urination and yellow mucoid discharge

Question 15

How can ureaplasma urealyticum be identified?

Answer 15

ability to metabolize urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide