Mycoplasma: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis, examples, Topics

Mycoplasma are the smallest living organisms known. They are unique, extremely small single-celled organisms. They do not have a cell wall, which makes them flexible in shape and naturally resistant to antibiotics that target the cell wall, like penicillin. Mycoplasmas can survive even without oxygen, and many of them live as parasites or harmless guests in animals, plants, and humans.

This Story also Contains

1. What Is Mycoplasma?
2. Structure And Characteristics Of Mycoplasma
3. Mycoplasma Types And Classification
4. Mycoplasma Diseases
5. Mycoplasma Infection Prevention
6. Recommended video for "Mycoplasma"

Mycobacteria are important study in the topic Bacteria. They show how bacteria can change and survive in tough conditions. This article includes structure, Characteristics of Mycoplasma, its types and classification. This topic is linked to how cells are built, how living things are grouped, and how some bacteria cause diseases.

What Is Mycoplasma?

Mycoplasma is an unconventional member of the bacterial world belonging to the class called Mollicutes which lacks a cell wall. Originally identified in the last decade of the 19th century while investigating pleuropneumonia in cattle, Mycoplasma has been explored subsequently largely because of its pathogenic involvement with humans and animals.

These bacteria are interesting as they are considered to be post-modern as they had gone through reductive evolution meaning they lack so many essential genes. Hence, these minimalistic cellular machinery offer the necessary vantage to study what is essentially needed for life and throw light on bacterial evolution and adaptation processes.

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Structure And Characteristics Of Mycoplasma

Mycoplasma is a very small type of bacteria. Mycoplasma is essential due to some features like the absence of strong cell walls and, relatively small genome size. The structure and characteristics of Mycoplasma are listed below-

• Cellular Structure

Mycoplasma bacteria do not possess a cell wall; thus they cannot be killed by antibiotics that target the synthesis of cell walls, for example, penicillin.

• Membrane composition

Their cell membrane has sterols that bring stability and rigidity to the cell; this is not characteristic of other prokaryotes.

• Shape and Size

Mycoplasmas are usually short rods or cocci, but they can also be spherical to filamentous in shape, as they are among the smallest bacteria.

• Genomic Features

Mycoplasma is one of the smallest genomes of any self-replicating organism, which ranges from approximately 600-1,350 kilobase pairs. They have again least junk DNA and regulatory sequences in their links, and their genes are compacted with maximum efficiency and fold with minimum non-coding sequence, which contain mainly the survival genes. They have their particular genes and petite metabolic profiles because they have evolved from parasites that conduct many of their functions inside specific host cells.

Mycoplasma Types And Classification

Mycoplasma is a type of bacteria without a cell wall. Scientists divide it into different types based on its structure and diseases it causes.

Classification:

Common Species

• Mycoplasma pneumoniae: It is a cause of atypical pneumonia as well as respiratory infections in humans.

• Mycoplasma genitalium: Jointly linked to urogenital infections and sexually transmitted diseases.

• Mycoplasma hominis: Associated with PID and other urogenital infections.

• Ureaplasma species: Comprises Ureaplasma urealyticum and Ureaplasma parvum organisms that are normally found in the genital area and may lead to infections.

Mycoplasma Diseases

Some types of Mycoplasma cause diseases in humans, especially when the immune system is weak.These bacteria are known to cause respiratory problems, urinary infections, and may also be linked to long-term health issues.

• Respiratory Infections

Annual pneumonia is one of the backpackers’ arch-enemies, responsible for atypical pneumonia, bronchitis, and other respiratory tract infections, most especially in children and young adults.

• Urogenital Infections

M. genitalium and M. hominis are the pathogens responsible for urogenital infection, acute and chronic non-gonococcal urethritis, pelvic inflammatory diseases, and bacterial vaginosis.

• Joint And Bone Infections

Mycoplasma species also contribute to septic arthritis and osteomyelitis in certain immunodeficient clients or where the client is suffering from other diseases or ailments.

• Links To Chronic Diseases

Some Mycoplasma pathogens are known to be associated with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome, which indicates that they may also aid the chronicity and/or worsening of the aforementioned diseases.

Mycoplasma Infection Prevention

Mycoplasma infections can be prevented by keeping clean and avoiding close contact with infected people. Although there is no vaccine yet, scientists are working to make one, especially for Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which affects many people.

Hygiene And Sanitation

• Adherence to measures such as hand washing and other cleanliness activities and measures.

• Some measures that need to be taken to help decrease Mycoplasma infections are the cleanliness of the common areas.

• Measures such as wearing a mask and staying away from close contact with infected people can help halt the respiratory spread.

Vaccine Development

• As of now, there are no specific anti-Mycoplasma vaccines that are administered in the market.

• There is an attempt to continue with effective vaccination, especially for Mycoplasma pneumonia since the pathogen affects the society’s health.

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Recommended video for "Mycoplasma"