Mycoplasma Flashcards
What is the class of Mycoplasma?
Mollicutes
What does Mollicutes mean?
soft-skin
What makes Mycoplasma unique among prokaryotes?
- simplest and tiniest self-replicating prokaryotes
- lacks cell wall
Where are Mycoplasma typically found in vertebrate hosts?
mucosal surfaces
How are Mycoplasma species adapted to their hosts?
Each species is adapted to a specific host and acts as highly specialized parasite.
Covering of Mycoplasma with host antigens due to close host association and protein binding
Capping
What is the historical significance of Mycoplasma in 1891?
Nocard first isolated contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), leading to the term “pleuropneumonia-like organisms” (PPLO)
What causes the pleomorphism in Mycoplasma?
Lack of cell wall
What shapes can Mycoplasma take? (6)
1.) cocci
2.) filaments
3.) spirals
4.) rings
5.) globules
6.) granules
What enables Mycoplasma’s gliding motility?
contractile protein resembling actin
What stains are used for Mycoplasma? (4)
1.) Giemsa
2.) Castaneda
3.) Dienes
4.) methylene blue (appears pink/purple)
Structure of Mycoplasma membrane
Trilaminar and lacks peptidoglycan
What do Mycoplasmas require for growth?
Cholesterol or Sterols (often provided by serum)
Appearance of typical Mycoplasma colonies?
“Fried egg” appearance
- flat transparent ring w/ central granular area
What environmental conditions do Mycoplasma prefer?
- Anaerobic (10% CO₂)
- pH 7.6–8.0
What is used as energy source in non-fermentative Mycoplasma strains?
Arginine degradation
4 methods for identifying Mycoplasma
1.) purification and cloning
2.) digitonin sensitivity test
3.) growth inhibition test (antibodies)
4.) inability to synthesize purines & pyrimidines
What is the type species of the genus Mycoplasma?
Mycoplasma mycoides
What disease is caused by M. mycoides subsp. mycoides? Its symptoms in Cattle are the following:
- Acute respiratory distress
- Chronic: moist cough, fever, nasal discharge, reluctance to move
Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP)
What are the 2 colony types of M. mycoides subsp. mycoides?
1.) Small colony (0.1 mm, 3 days)
2.) Large colony (0.4–0.7 mm, 2 days)
What are the 2 antigens of M. mycoides?
- Capsular galactan
- membrane proteins
How is CBPP transmitted? (3)
- droplet inhalation
- placenta
- urine
Symptoms of CBPP in Cattle?
- Acute respiratory distress
- Chronic: moist cough, fever, nasal discharge, reluctance to move
Diagnostic technique used for CBPP?
Dark field or phase microscopy of fluid samples
