Mycoplasmataceae

Last updated on: 03.04.2021

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

The family Mycoplasmataceae in the order Mycoplasmatales belongs to the class Mollicutes (the soft-skinned), of cell wall-less prokaryotes. The Mycoplasmataceae are divided into the genera:

  • Mycoplasma
  • Ureaplasma

Mycoplasmataceae (like almost all representatives of the Mollicutes) have no cell wall, murein is not present. Mycoplasmas are the smallest bacteria that can be cultured in cell-free media, measuring 0.3-0.8 μm. Their genome is very small, about 1/5 of E. coli. Mycoplasma genitalium with 580 kbp has been completely sequenced. Most species are parasites and often pathogenic to humans and animals

ClassificationThis section has been translated automatically.

Genera and some important species in the family Mycoplasmataceae:

Mycoplasma

  • Mycoplasma buccale Freundt et al. 1974
  • Mycoplasma salivarum (opportunistic pathogen)
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae (most important human pathogen)
  • Mycoplasma fermans (rarely urethritis)
  • Mycoplasma genitalium (rarely urethritis)
  • Mycoplasma hominis (urethritis)

Ureaplasma

The following species are grouped together as urogenital mycoplasmas (about 40% of NGU urethritis is caused by mycoplasmas of the species listed below):

  • Ureaplasma urealyticum (60%)
  • Mycoplasma hominis (20%)
  • Mycoplasma genitalium (15%)
  • Mycoplasma fermans (3%)

PathogenThis section has been translated automatically.

Peculiarities of mycoplasmas:

  • Small size 0,3-0,8um, just microscopically visible
  • Can be visualized by Gram stain (Gram positive)
  • Small genome size (1/5 of E.coli)
  • Main lipid body is cholesterol
  • Mycoplasmas do not have the genetic information for the formation of cholesterol. This must be supplied from the outside
  • Mycoplasmas do not have a rigid cell wall, thus no characteristic shape. They sometimes appear as balls, drops, rings, discs or threads.
  • Mycoplasmas do not have their own nucleotide synthesis
  • Mycoplasmas do not have their own amino acid synthesis
  • Mycoplasmas do not have their own citric acid cycle
  • Mycoplasmas do not produce catalase or peroxidase.

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

  1. Hof H et al (2019) Mycoplasmataceae. In: Hof H, Schlüter D, Dörries R, eds Duale Reihe Medizinische Mikrobiologie. 7th, completely revised and expanded edition. Stuttgart: Thieme p 467-469

Last updated on: 03.04.2021