Mycoplasma Flashcards
Do mycoplasma have a cell wall?
No! They are gram -
Generally, what type of infections do mycoplasma cause?
Respiratory and genital tract infections
What diseases/conditions do mycoplasma pneumonia cause?
- Pharyngitis
- Bronchitis
- Primary Atypical Pneumonia (walking pneumonia)
Taxonomic features of mycoplasma
- Smallest sized organism!
- Smallest genomes
- Absence of cell wall
- Pleomorphic shape w/ structural features
- Cholesterol/sterols needed for growth
- Slow growth with fried egg colonies
Virulence Factors of Mycoplasma
- No Cell Wall!
- Terminal Organelle
- CARDS Toxin
What is the function of the terminal organelles in mycoplasma pneumonia?
It allows the organism to adhere to epithelial cells and provides gliding motility so that it can move from the tip of the cilia to the epithelial cell.
CARDS Toxin! What does it cause on a cellular and gross level?
It leads to vacuolating toxic activity of the affected cell, along with gross tissue disorganization, inflammation and airway dysfunction. It causes more severe disease when present.
What is the habitat of mycoplasma pneumonia?
URT in the absence of disease but it is still considered a pathogen.
How is mycoplasma pneumonia transmitted?
Respiratory secretions from person to person
Who is at risk for community acquired disease in mycoplasma pneumonia?
School age children and young adults
Who is at risk for hospital acquired disease with mycoplasma pneumonia?
adult patients on mechanical ventilators.
Clinical symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia respiratory disease
Varying degrees of severity!
Adhesion to respirator epithelial cell–> granola onset with pharyngitis, nonproductive cough, sputum w/ blood, moderate fever, chills, and headache–> tracheobronchitis, pneumonia (atypical) –> no invasion of tissue, only inflammation on mucosal surfaces
Diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumonia
- Serology is the most useful diagnosis, look for cold agglutinins and specific anti-mycoplasma antibodies
- PCR assays
- negative gram stain and negative cultures! Not useful!
Is there a vaccine for mycoplasma pneumonia?
NO
Treatment for mycoplasma pneumonia
Erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin–> no cell wall ABx!
