Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 14, 2026

Studying Oxidative Stress Caused by the Mitis Group Streptococci in Caenorhabditis elegans
09:36

Studying Oxidative Stress Caused by the Mitis Group Streptococci in Caenorhabditis elegans

Published on: March 23, 2019

7.8K

Mycoplasma iowae: relationships among oxygen, virulence, and protection from oxidative stress

Rachel E Pritchard1,2, Mitchell F Balish3

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA. rpritchard@kwc.edu.

Veterinary Research
|April 17, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Mycoplasma iowae exhibits protective effects against hydrogen peroxide-producing bacteria. Low oxygen levels, mimicking the gut environment, reduce its virulence, shifting it towards a beneficial role.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis
  • Host-Microbe Interactions

Background:

  • Mycoplasma iowae colonizes poultry embryos, causing disease in oxygen-exposed tissues.
  • M. iowae's catalase activity (katE) detoxifies hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
  • Catalase-producing bacteria can be beneficial in inflammatory conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate M. iowae's protective role against H2O2-producing bacteria in a C. elegans model.
  • To determine if M. iowae's protectiveness is influenced by oxygen levels.
  • To analyze changes in M. iowae's virulence and H2O2 metabolism gene expression under varying oxygen conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a Caenorhabditis elegans model to assess M. iowae's protective capabilities.
  • Compared M. iowae's efficacy against H2O2-producing Streptococcus pneumoniae and HCN-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  • Cultured M. iowae under low (1% O2) and atmospheric oxygen conditions.
  • Quantified transcript levels of M. iowae virulence genes, including a CARDS toxin homolog.

Main Results:

  • M. iowae demonstrated protection against H2O2-producing S. pneumoniae but not HCN-producing P. aeruginosa.
  • M. iowae grown in low oxygen (1% O2) significantly enhanced C. elegans survival compared to atmospheric oxygen.
  • Transcript levels of a M. iowae CARDS toxin homolog were significantly lower in low oxygen conditions.

Conclusions:

  • M. iowae's protective effect is specific to H2O2-producing bacteria.
  • Reduced oxygen levels, characteristic of the intestinal environment, attenuate M. iowae virulence.
  • M. iowae may shift from a pathogenic to a potentially beneficial state in low-oxygen environments.

More Related Videos

Methods to Inhibit Bacterial Pyomelanin Production and Determine the Corresponding Increase in Sensitivity to Oxidative Stress11:00

Methods to Inhibit Bacterial Pyomelanin Production and Determine the Corresponding Increase in Sensitivity to Oxidative Stress

Published on: August 31, 2015

8.8K
Creating Rapid Oxygen Oscillations in Microbial Single-cell Growth Analysis using a Microfluidic Double-layer Device08:28

Creating Rapid Oxygen Oscillations in Microbial Single-cell Growth Analysis using a Microfluidic Double-layer Device

Published on: July 18, 2025

660

Related Concept Videos

Oxygen Requirements and Growth Patterns01:29

Oxygen Requirements and Growth Patterns

Microorganisms exhibit diverse oxygen requirements and growth patterns driven by their metabolic strategies and environmental adaptations. Oxygen, while essential for many organisms, can also be toxic under certain conditions, shaping how microorganisms grow and survive.Oxygen Requirements of MicroorganismsMicroorganisms are classified based on their ability to use or tolerate oxygen:● Obligate aerobes like Mycobacterium tuberculosis need oxygen for energy production, as it serves as the...
2.4K
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within...
57
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology01:29

Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of pneumonia involves the following steps:
4.4K
Other Stress Responses in Bacteria01:30

Other Stress Responses in Bacteria

Bacteria have global regulatory systems that control several types of stress mechanisms. These include Pho regulon and the heat shock response, which are essential systems for environmental adaptation, such as nutrient limitation and proteotoxic stress. The Pho regulon and the heat shock response exemplify bacterial resilience, enabling rapid adaptation to fluctuating environmental conditions.Pho RegulonBacteria require phosphorus for essential cellular processes, including nucleic acid...
541
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

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...
64
Regulation of Bacterial Virulence01:28

Regulation of Bacterial Virulence

Pathogenic bacteria employ a range of regulatory mechanisms to modulate the expression of virulence genes in response to environmental and host-derived signals. These mechanisms ensure that virulence factors are expressed only under favorable conditions, thereby optimizing infection and survival strategies.Mechanisms of Virulence RegulationKey regulatory strategies include:Two-Component Systems: These consist of a membrane-bound sensor kinase and a cytoplasmic response regulator. Environmental...
51