Mycoplasma

pneumoniae
3 R D YEAR PHARMACY, SEMESTER 2, 2020
DR. HENG KANIKA
Learning objectives
At the end of this session students should be able to:
 Describe morphology of Mycoplasma
 List the most pathogenic species for humans
 Describe the localization and route of transmission of M.Pneumoniae
 Explain the pathogenesis of M.Pneumoniae
 Cite the clinical signs and symptoms given by M.Pneumoniae
 Describe the diagnostic methods to identify bacteria
 Describe Prevention and treatment of M.Pneumoniae infection
 Content
◦ Introduction

◦ Epidemiology

◦ Pathogenesis

◦ Sign and Symptoms

◦ Diagnosis

◦ Treatment and Prevention

 Introduction
•Mycoplasma species are the smallest free-living organisms. (150-250 nm)
•Pleomorphic organism
•Able pass through the 0.45-μm filters used to remove bacteria from solutions
•No cell wall and membrane contains sterols cannot stain with Gram stain
•Resistance to many cell wall targeting antibiotic
•3 pathogens species: Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Mycoplasma hominis,
Mycoplasma genitalium.
 Introduction
Clinical important of Mycoplasmataceae
 Mycoplasma pneumoniae
•Cause atypical pneumoniae in young adults (Walking pneumoniae)
• Strictly aerobe
 Epidemiology
•Strict human pathogen
•More common during the summer and fall.
•Highest rates are seen in school age children , young adults (5-20) and military
recruit although all groups are susceptible
•Incubation period : 1-3 weeks.
•Colonies the nose, throat, trachea and lower airway of infected individuals
•Transmitted by inhalation of aerosolized droplet
 Pathogenesis
•Produces a protein P1 adhesin that allows attachment to a receptor on the
respiratory epithelium.

•Inhibition of ciliary movement

•M.pneumoniae Pathogenesis in respiratory tract is due to

• Selective affinity for respiratory epithelial cells

• Ability to produce hydrogen peroxide

 Sign and Symptoms
The most common type of illness, especially in children, is tracheobronchitis,
commonly known as a chest cold.
Common symptoms of a chest cold include:
•Sore throat
•Fatigue (being tired)
•Fever
•Dry and non productive cough that can last for weeks or months
•Headache
 Sign and Symptoms
Complication
•Serious pneumonia
•Asthma attacks or new asthma symptoms
•Encephalitis
•Hemolytic anemia (too few red blood cells, which means fewer cells to deliver
oxygen in the body)
•Renal dysfunction
•Skin disorders (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal
necrolysis)
 Diagnosis
•Sample: sputum or throat wash
•Culture (slown1-3 weeks) on specific media: “fried egg” colony
 Diagnosis
•Molecular Diagnosis: PCR
•Serology
 Cold agglutinin test
 ELISA
 Complement fixation
 Treatment
•Most M. pneumoniae infections are self-limiting.
•Macrolides ( azithromycin): Children and adults
•Fluoroquinolones: Adults
•Tetracyclines ( doxycycline): Older children and adults
•Resistance to many cell wall synthesis targeting antibiotic (beta-lactam
antibiotics).
 Prevention
Some tips to prevent the spread of M. pneumoniae include:
◦ Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
◦ Put your used tissue in a waste basket.
◦ If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow,
not your hands.
◦ Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
◦ If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

There is no vaccine to prevent M. pneumoniae infections.

References
◦ P.Murray-Medical Microbiology ,7th edition,2012
◦ https://www.cdc.gov/pneumonia/atypical/mycoplasma/index.html
Let’s Test!
1. What is unique about the cellular structure of mycoplasmas? How does this affect their
susceptibility to antibiotics?

2) All of the following are the general characteristics of Mycoplasma spp, EXCEPT?
a) It can grow on cell-free media containing lipoprotein and sterol
b) The size of the bacteria can be as small as 150 to 250 nm
c) It can be identified using gram staining technique
d) The bacteria show pleomorphic motility
Let’s Test!
3) The routine laboratory diagnostics method is usually not helpful for the isolation and
identification of Mycoplasma pneumoniae. All of the following are the clinical tests for the
diagnosis of the infection in humans caused by M.pneumoniae, EXCEPT?
a)ELISA
b) Complement fixation
c) Cold hemagglutinins
d) Electron microscopy
Let’s Test!
4) Which of the following statements is true regarding the pathogenesis of Mycoplasma infections?
a) Enter the host cell by releasing exotoxin
b) Adherence to the host cells is mediated by the bacterial proteins
c) Inhibited by beta-lactam antibiotics
d) All of the above

5) Penicillin causes inhibition of Mycoplasmas.

a)True
b)False