Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026

06:04
Antigen-Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Specific Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Published on: February 24, 2023
Mycoplasma salivarium isolated from brain abscesses
I Ørsted1, J B Gertsen, H C Schønheyder
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Aalborg Hospital, Aarhus University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. iben.oersted@rn.dk
Summary
Two cerebral abscess cases revealed polymicrobial infections, incidentally including Mycoplasma salivarium. Molecular techniques may uncover a wider range of fastidious pathogens in brain abscesses.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Cerebral abscesses are serious intracranial infections.
- Polymicrobial etiology is common, but often involves standard bacterial pathogens.
Observation:
- Two cases of cerebral abscesses were analyzed.
- Mycoplasma salivarium was incidentally identified in both cases.
Findings:
- The polymicrobial etiology of brain abscesses may include less common or fastidious organisms.
- Mycoplasma species can be present in cerebral abscesses, potentially overlooked by conventional methods.
Implications:
- Molecular diagnostic techniques can broaden the etiological spectrum of brain abscesses.
- Identifying fastidious pathogens like Mycoplasma salivarium may improve treatment strategies for cerebral abscesses.
Related Concept Videos
Brain Abscess l: Introduction
A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Bacterial Phylum Tenericutes
The phylum Tenericutes, which includes the single class Mollicutes, comprises bacteria that lack cell walls. The term "Mollicutes" derives from the Latin word mollis, meaning "soft." These organisms are among the smallest known and are commonly referred to as mycoplasmas due to the prominence of the genus Mycoplasma, which includes well-known human pathogens. Despite their inability to stain gram-positively (a result of their lack of cell walls), mycoplasmas are phylogenetically related to the...
Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology
Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
Atypical Pneumonia
Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...

