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Antigen-Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Specific Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Published on: February 24, 2023
Mycoplasma and ureaplasma infections
C B Gilroy1, D Taylor-Robinson
1MRC STD Research Group, Jefferiss Trust Laboratories, St Mary's Hospital Medical School, London, UK.
Methods in Molecular Medicine
|March 11, 2011
Summary
Mollicutes, or soft-skin organisms, evolved through genome reduction from Gram-positive bacteria. This class includes four orders and eight genera, with Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma being key examples found in various hosts.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial Evolution
- Taxonomy
Background:
- Mollicutes are a class of bacteria that have undergone significant genome reduction.
- They are believed to have evolved from Gram-positive bacterial ancestors, specifically certain clostridia.
- The class Mollicutes encompasses four orders, five families, and eight genera.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of the taxonomy and properties of Mollicutes.
- To detail the classification, genome size, G+C content, distinctive properties, and habitats of various Mollicute genera.
- To clarify the nomenclature and common usage of terms like "mollicute" and "mycoplasma".
Main Methods:
- Review and compilation of existing taxonomic data for the class Mollicutes.
- Presentation of classification details in a tabular format, including recognized species, genome size, G+C content, distinctive properties, and habitats.
- Analysis of the evolutionary trajectory of Mollicutes through genome reduction.
Main Results:
- The class Mollicutes is taxonomically organized into four orders: Mycoplasmatales, Entomoplasmatales, Acholeplasmatales, and Anaeroplasmatales.
- Key genera include Mycoplasma (100 species), Ureaplasma (6 species), Spiroplasma (17 species), and Acholeplasma (13 species), each with specific characteristics and habitats.
- Genome sizes range from 580 to over 1600 kbp, with G+C content varying between 23% and 41%.
Conclusions:
- Mollicutes represent a unique evolutionary path characterized by genome reduction.
- The diverse genera within Mollicutes exhibit varied properties and inhabit a wide range of hosts, including humans, animals, plants, and insects.
- Accurate taxonomic classification is crucial for understanding the biology and ecological roles of these organisms.
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