Mycoplasma fermentans

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Mycoplasma fermentans
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Bacteria
Phylum: Mycoplasmatota
Class: Mollicutes
Order: Mycoplasmatales
Family: Mycoplasmataceae
Genus: Mycoplasma
Species:
M. fermentans
Binomial name
Mycoplasma fermentans
Edward, 1955 [1]

Mycoplasma fermentans is a very small bacterium in the class Mollicutes. Like other mycoplasmas M. fermentans is characterized by the absence of a peptidoglycan cell wall and resulting resistance to many antibacterial agents. It is a possible human pathogen with roles suggested in many illness such as respiratory, genital, and rheumatoid diseases [2] among others. Investigations have focused on a possible link to it being a cofactor in HIV infection [3] as well as fibromyalgia, Gulf War syndrome and Chronic fatigue syndrome, however the belief that M. fermentans is pathogenic in such conditions has largely been disregarded after the failure of several large scale studies to find a link. [4] Due to its incredibly small size it is difficult to determine the full extent of its role in human diseases, while M. fermentans has been implicated in a myriad of diseases, research at the current point has not conclusively proven its pathogenicity in humans outside of opportunistic infections.

Contents

Discovery

Mycoplasma fermentans was first described by Ruiter and Wentholt in 1952 from isolate of a human genital infection, which led to the initial name G-strain. In 1954 D.G. Edward identified a strain of mycoplasma in his laboratory isolated from 91 different samples collected from humans that differed in its ability to ferment sugars, he labeled this strain human type 3 as it was the 3rd strain he found in the group of samples. This was later identified to be the same strain as Ruiter and Wentholt's G-strain. [5] In 1955 Edward proposed a new naming structure renaming his human type 3 strain and Ruiter and Wentholt's G-strain to M. fermentans due to its believed unique ability amongst the group to ferment multiple sugars. It has since been found that several other mycoplasma are capable of fermenting multiple sugar sources. [6]

Mycoplasma incognitus

In the late 1980s a mycoplasma infection was isolated during autopsy of AIDS patients. This new mycoplasma, dubbed M. incognitus was concerning as it could either be an opportunistic co-infection or a sexually transmitted infectious cofactor to the HIV disease process. This "new" mycoplasma however was later determined to be a strain of M. fermentans[ citation needed ]. Since then however, several more mycoplasmas have been described as being co-infectious with HIV. [7]

Characteristics

Mycoplasma fermentans is capable of fermenting both glucose and arginine [8] as well as other sugars.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mycoplasma genitalium</span> Species of bacterium

Mycoplasma genitalium is a sexually transmitted, small and pathogenic bacterium that lives on the mucous epithelial cells of the urinary and genital tracts in humans. Medical reports published in 2007 and 2015 state that Mgen is becoming increasingly common. Resistance to multiple antibiotics, including the macrolide azithromycin, which until recently was the most reliable treatment, is becoming prevalent. The bacteria was first isolated from the urogenital tract of humans in 1981, and was eventually identified as a new species of Mycoplasma in 1983. It can cause negative health effects in men and women. It also increases the risk factor for HIV spread with higher occurrences in those previously treated with the azithromycin antibiotics.

<i>Mycoplasma</i> Genus of bacteria

Mycoplasma is a genus of bacteria that, like the other members of the class Mollicutes, lack a cell wall around their cell membranes. Peptidoglycan (murein) is absent. This characteristic makes them naturally resistant to antibiotics that target cell wall synthesis. They can be parasitic or saprotrophic. Several species are pathogenic in humans, including M. pneumoniae, which is an important cause of "walking" pneumonia and other respiratory disorders, and M. genitalium, which is believed to be involved in pelvic inflammatory diseases. Mycoplasma species are among the smallest organisms yet discovered, can survive without oxygen, and come in various shapes. For example, M. genitalium is flask-shaped, while M. pneumoniae is more elongated, many Mycoplasma species are coccoid. Hundreds of Mycoplasma species infect animals.

Mycoplasma hominis is a species of bacteria in the genus Mycoplasma. M. hominis has the ability to penetrate the interior of human cells. Along with ureaplasmas, mycoplasmas are the smallest free-living organisms known.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a very small bacterium in the class Mollicutes. It is a human pathogen that causes the disease mycoplasma pneumonia, a form of atypical bacterial pneumonia related to cold agglutinin disease. M. pneumoniae is characterized by the absence of a peptidoglycan cell wall and resulting resistance to many antibacterial agents. The persistence of M. pneumoniae infections even after treatment is associated with its ability to mimic host cell surface composition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mycoplasmataceae</span> Family of bacteria

Mycoplasmataceae is a family of bacteria in the order Mycoplasmatales. This family consists of the genera Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma.

<i>Enterobacter</i> Genus of bacteria

Enterobacter is a genus of common Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae. Cultures are found in soil, water, sewage, feces and gut environments. It is the type genus of the order Enterobacterales. Several strains of these bacteria are pathogenic and cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised hosts and in those who are on mechanical ventilation. The urinary and respiratory tracts are the most common sites of infection. The genus Enterobacter is a member of the coliform group of bacteria. It does not belong to the fecal coliforms group of bacteria, unlike Escherichia coli, because it is incapable of growth at 44.5 °C in the presence of bile salts. Some of them show quorum sensing properties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opportunistic infection</span> Infection caused by pathogens that take advantage of an opportunity not normally available

An opportunistic infection is an infection caused by pathogens that take advantage of an opportunity not normally available. These opportunities can stem from a variety of sources, such as a weakened immune system, an altered microbiome, or breached integumentary barriers. Many of these pathogens do not necessarily cause disease in a healthy host that has a non-compromised immune system, and can, in some cases, act as commensals until the balance of the immune system is disrupted. Opportunistic infections can also be attributed to pathogens which cause mild illness in healthy individuals but lead to more serious illness when given the opportunity to take advantage of an immunocompromised host.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sexually transmitted infection</span> Infection transmitted through human sexual behavior

A sexually transmitted infection (STI), also referred to as a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and the older term venereal disease (VD), is an infection that is spread by sexual activity, especially vaginal intercourse, anal sex, oral sex, or sometimes manual sex. STIs often do not initially cause symptoms, which results in a risk of passing the infection on to others. Symptoms and signs of STIs may include vaginal discharge, penile discharge, ulcers on or around the genitals, and pelvic pain. Some STIs can cause infertility.

Pathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> Strains of E. coli that can cause disease

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Mycoplasma penetrans is a species of Gram-positive bacteria. It is pathogenic, though many infected show no symptoms. It is a sexually transmitted disease, though an infant may be infected during birth.

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Mycoplasma primatum is a species of bacteria in the genus Mycoplasma. This genus of bacteria lacks a cell wall around their cell membrane. Without a cell wall, they are unaffected by many common antibiotics such as penicillin or other beta-lactam antibiotics that target cell wall synthesis. Mycoplasma are the smallest bacterial cells yet discovered, can survive without oxygen and are typically about 0. 1 µm in diameter.

Mycoplasma salivarium is a species of bacteria in the genus Mycoplasma. This genus of bacteria lacks a cell wall around their cell membrane. Without a cell wall, they are unaffected by many common antibiotics such as penicillin or other beta-lactam antibiotics that target cell wall synthesis. Mycoplasma are the smallest bacterial cells yet discovered, can survive without oxygen and are typically about 0. 1 μm in diameter. Mycoplasma salivarium is found in the mouths of 97% of the healthy population, and is generally considered to be a commensal organism and part of the normal oral flora.

Mycoplasma alligatoris is a species of bacteria in the genus Mycoplasma. It is classified in the family Mycoplasmataceae, order Mycoplasma, class Mollicutes, phylum Firmicutes and domain Bacteria. Many organisms of the genus Mycoplasma are known pathogens in humans and animal species. Mycoplasma alligatoris is known to elicit a fatal disease with inflammatory characteristics that can cause rapid death of alligators and caimans.

Mycoplasma spumans is a species of bacteria in the genus Mycoplasma. This genus of bacteria lacks a cell wall around their cell membrane. Without a cell wall, pathogenic species in this genus are unaffected by many antibiotics such as penicillin or other beta-lactam antibiotics that target cell wall synthesis. Mycoplasma are the smallest bacterial cells yet discovered, can survive without oxygen and are typically about 0.1 μm in diameter.

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Mycoplasma incognitus is a human invasive Mycoplasma type bacteria, as well as a disease agent that can cause a variety of different diseases. M. incognitus is an immunomodulatory agent, which means that it can weaken the immune response by decreasing the ability of the immune system to produce antibodies. This mycoplasma is highly contagious, and can be passed from person to person via bodily fluids, such as sweat and blood. Since M. incognitus is a mycoplasma, it does not have a cell wall, which means that it is naturally immune to many different antibiotics, such as penicillin or other antibiotics that target the cell wall. This new mycoplasma, however, was later determined to be a close form of Mycoplasma fermentans, although it does differ.

<i>Corynebacterium striatum</i> Species of bacterium

Corynebacterium striatum is a bacterium that is a member of the Corynebacterium genus. It is classified as non-diphtheritic. The bacterium is a gram-positive prokaryote that assumes a 'club-like' morphology, more formally known as a corynebacteria structure. It is non-lipophilic and undergoes aerobic respiration and is also a facultative anaerobe it is catalase negative and oxidase positive glucose and sucrose fermenter.

References

  1. Freundt, E. A. "The classification of the pleuropneumonia group of organisms (Borrelomycetales)." International Bulletin of Bacteriological Nomenclature and Taxonomy 5.2 (1955): 67-78.
  2. Yáñez, A.; Martínez-Ramos, A.; Calixto, T.; González-Matus, F. J.; Rivera-Tapia, J. A.; Giono, S.; Gil, C.; Cedillo, L. (2013). "Animal model of Mycoplasma fermentans respiratory infection". BMC Research Notes. 6: 9. doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-6-9 . PMC   3544566 . PMID   23298636.
  3. Katseni, V. L.; Ryait, B. K.; Ariyoshi, K.; Bieniasz, P. D.; Weber, J. N.; Taylor-Robinson, D.; Gilroy, C. B.; Taylor-Robinson, D. (1993). "Mycoplasma fermentans in individuals seropositive and seronegative for HIV-1". The Lancet. 341 (8840): 271–3. doi:10.1016/0140-6736(93)92617-3. PMID   8093918. S2CID   22236519.
  4. De Filippis, Ivano; McKee, Marian L. (2013). Molecular Typing in Bacterial Infections. Humana Press. ISBN   978-1627031844.
  5. D. G.FF.EDWARD (1954). "The Pleuropneumonia Group of Organisms: a Review, together with some New Observations". J. Gen. Microbiol. 10 (1): 27–64. doi: 10.1099/00221287-10-1-27 . PMID   13130825.
  6. Richard A. DelGiudice; Theodore R. Carski; Michael F. Barile; Ruth M. Lemcke; Joseph G. Tully (1971). "Proposal for Classifying Human Strain Navel and Related Simian Mycoplasmas as Mycoplasma primatum sp. n". Journal of Bacteriology. 108 (1): 439–445. doi:10.1128/JB.108.1.439-445.1971. PMC   247083 . PMID   5001200.
  7. Winn, Washington C. (2006). Koneman, Elmer W. (ed.). Koneman's color atlas and textbook of diagnostic microbiology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN   978-0781730143.
  8. Gillespie, Stephen; Hawkey, Peter M. (2006). Principles and Practice of Clinical Bacteriology. Wiley. ISBN   978-0470849767.

Further reading