Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma

Abstract

Mollicutes are eubacteria that have evolved from Clostridium ‐like Gram‐positive cells through genome reduction. The term “mycoplasma” is often used in a trivial way to refer to any members of the class Mollicutes , irrespective of whether they actually belong to the genus Mycoplasma . Mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas of human origin can be classified according to whether they utilize glucose, arginine, or urea. Attachment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae to host cells in the respiratory tract of humans is a prerequisite for colonization and infection. Urogenital mycoplasmas of clinical importance include Mycoplasma genitalium , a sexually transmitted pathogen, and Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma spp., commensals of the human urogenital tract. Ureaplasma species have been shown to cause systemic and sometimes fatal infections leading to hyperammonemia in immunosuppressed persons who have undergone lung transplantation. Serology has been the most common laboratory means for diagnosis of M. pneumoniae respiratory tract infections.