Mycoplasma, &
Ureaplasma Species
MLAB 2434 – Microbiology
Keri Brophy-Martinez
Mycoplasma and
Ureaplasma Species
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General Characteristics
 Once thought to be viruses because of
size
 Mycoplasmas are the smallest free-living
organism in nature
 Four human pathogens
• Mycoplasma pneumoniae - respiratory
• Mycoplasma hominis - urogenital
• Ureaplasma urealyticum – urogenital
• Ureaplasma parvum- urogenital
Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma
Species (cont’d)

Lack a cell wall
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Pleomorphic organisms
Resistant to cell-wall-active antibiotics)
Susceptible to heat and drying
Slow growing, highly fastidious, facultative
anaerobes
Require complex media for growth
Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma
Species (cont’d)
Pathogens of respiratory and
urogenital tracts
 Transmission

Direct sexual contact
 Mother-child exposure during
delivery or in utero
 Respiratory secretions/aerosols
 Nosocomial (transplanted tissues)

Clinical Infections

Mycoplasma pneumoniae
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Causes bronchitis, pharyngitis, or primary
atypical pneumonia (a.k.a. “walking
pneumonia”)
Usually infects school-age children and
young adults in close quarters (dorms,
military barracks, etc.)
50% of infections produce “cold
agglutinins”
Most often diagnosed by serologic
evaluation and/ or PCR
M. hominis & Ureaplasma
species
Most often associated with
urogenital tract infections
 May be isolated from asymptomatic
individuals
 Can be transmitted to the fetus at
delivery
 Opportunistic pathogens
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Laboratory Diagnosis
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Cultures must be delivered immediately to
the lab, because the organisms are very
susceptible to drying
Should be placed in transport media
Swabs should be of Dacron, polyester or
calcium alginate with a plastic or aluminum
shaft
If not plated immediately, should be frozen
at -70°C
Most infections detected via serologic
evaluation or PCR
References
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
Kiser, K. M., Payne, W. C., & Taff, T. A. (2011). Clinical
Laboratory Microbiology: A Practical Approach . Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
Mahon, C. R., Lehman, D. C., & Manuselis, G. (2011).
Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology (4th ed.).
Maryland Heights, MO: Saunders.