Mycoplasmas Flashcards
Do the bacteria in the family Mollicutes have a cell wall?
No
What is the mycoplasma cell morphology?
- pleomorphic: round, flask-like and filamentous forms
- plastic
- filterable (0.45 um)
Mycoplasma is one of the ______
Smallest self-replicating prokaryotes and living organisms
What is the first mycoplasma found in history? Which animal species was this pathogen first found? What was the impact of this mycoplasma on the agricultural development?
M. mycoides subsp. mycoides
- bovine, is the etiologic agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia
- spread in the US lead to development of Bureau of Animal Industry of USDA in 1884
- is completely eradicated from the US
Are mycoplasmas parasites? Are mycoplasmas viruses?
They are not parasites, but do have a parasitically or commensal life style
- do not replicate in the environment
- rely on host for nutrients
- colonies have a fried egg appearance
Fastidious growth requirements
- sterols needed for growth
- can be cultured in embryonated eggs, cell-culture systems, right medium
- aerobic, capnophilic, microaerophilic
What was the first mycoplasm species to have the full genome sequenced?
M. genitalium
- genome size is 580 kb, 482 genes
- low G+C content
- UGA codes Trp
Minimal genome project
Hamilton Smith, Crag Venter
- M. laboratorium, 382 genes
Are mycoplasmas easy to be cultured?
Yes
What does mycoplasma colony look like?
Fried egg
What are the most important bovine mycoplasmas?
- M. mycoides subsp. mycoide
- M. bovis
- M. californicum
- M. bovoculi
What are the important avial mycoplasmas?
- M. gallisepticum
- M. synoviae
- M. meleogridis
- M. iowae
Mycoplasmas are one of the top 5 diseases threatening US ______
Poultry
What are the most important swine mycoplasmas?
- M. hyopneumoniae
- M. hyorhinis
- M. hyosynoviae
What are the most important goats/sheep mycoplasmas?
- M. aglatiae
- M. cariocolum subsp. Capripneumoniae
- M. cariocolum subsp. Capricolum
- M. mycoides subsp. America, mycoides
- M. mycoides subsp. Capri
How to diagnose mycoplasma?
Based on bacterial culture, serology, and PCR
- specimens should be collected early and delivered to lab within 48 hrs
- serology includes specific antibody detection, rapid serum agglutination/latex agglutination, hemagglutination inhibition, ELISA
Are there any myoplasma vaccines available?
Yes, for MG, MS, M. hyopneumoniae, M. bovis
- each state’s vaccine policy is different
Impact of co-infections of mycoplasmas with other pathogens?
Occurs in M. bovis
- co-infection with other respiratory pathogens (BVDV, pasteruella, and M. hemolytica) occurs frequently
What are the common infected tissues/organs?
Mucosal locations
- lungs
- synovial joints
- urogenital tract (vertical transmission)
- mastitis
Which mycoplasmas cause mastitis in bovine?
- M. bovis
- M. californicum
Which mycoplasmas cause respiratory diseases in chicken and turkey? Bovine? Swine?
Poultry: M. gallisepticum, M. meleagridis
Bovine: M. mycoides, M. bovis
Swine: M. hypopneumoniae
Which mycoplasmas cause arthritis in avian? Swine? Bovine?
Avian: M. gallisepticum, M. synoviae, M. meleagridis
Swine: M. hyosynoviae
Bovine: M. bovis
How are mycoplasmas transmitted?
- inhalation
- man’s intervention (ex: AI)
- spread thru egg
- venereal disease (M. meleagridis, iowae)
How should mycoplasmas be controlled?
- stress reduction
- good management
- quarantine new animals in the herd
- sanitation of milking equipment
- monitor/removal of reactor flocks
- periodic examination of culled lungs
