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Effects of manganese on the growth and morphology of Ureaplasma urealyticum
Abstract:
All of the 14 serotype standard strains of Ureaplasma urealyticum were inhibited to varying degrees by manganese. A 1 mM concentration of this cation either stopped growth or reduced the rate of growth in liquid medium. The presence of manganese also altered colonial morphology and cellular ultrastructure. Inhibition was dose dependent and strain specific. This differential response allowed the serotype strains to be divided into two broad biotypes. For the first biotype (serotypes 1, 3, 6, and 14), inhibition of growth in broth was temporary. For the second biotype (serotypes 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12), inhibition was permanent. Serotype 13 gave an intermediate response and was not classified. The effect of manganese could be at least partially blocked by magnesium but not by calcium, cobalt, copper, iron, potassium, sodium, or zinc. The concentration of magnesium yielding the maximum blocking effect was directly related to manganese sensitivity. Wild-type isolates of ureaplasma and Mycoplasma hominis also showed a differential response to manganese. Laboratory-adapted strains representing species of the genus Mycoplasma (M. hominis, M. fermentans, and M. pneumoniae) were inhibited by 5 but not by 1 mM manganese. The latter concentration inhibited the growth of Acholeplasma laidlawii and Staphylococcus aureus, and 5 mM manganese had no effect on Escherichia coli.
Insights
Manganese inhibits Ureaplasma urealyticum growth in a dose-dependent and strain-specific manner, leading to distinct biotypes. Magnesium can partially block this manganese-induced inhibition.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Mycoplasma research
Background:
- Ureaplasma urealyticum is a common human commensal and opportunistic pathogen.
- Understanding factors affecting Ureaplasma urealyticum growth is crucial for clinical and research purposes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the inhibitory effects of manganese on Ureaplasma urealyticum serotypes.
- To characterize the differential responses of Ureaplasma urealyticum strains to manganese.
- To explore the potential role of other cations in modulating manganese's effect.
Main Methods:
- Testing 14 Ureaplasma urealyticum serotype standard strains for growth inhibition by manganese.
- Assessing the dose-dependent and strain-specific effects of manganese.
- Evaluating the impact of magnesium and other cations on manganese inhibition.
- Examining effects on colonial morphology and cellular ultrastructure.
- Testing wild-type ureaplasma, Mycoplasma hominis, and other bacterial species.
Main Results:
- All 14 Ureaplasma urealyticum serotypes showed varying degrees of inhibition by manganese (1 mM).
- Inhibition was dose-dependent and strain-specific, allowing classification into two biotypes (temporary vs. permanent growth inhibition).
- Magnesium partially blocked manganese's inhibitory effect, with blocking concentration related to manganese sensitivity.
- Other tested cations (calcium, cobalt, copper, iron, potassium, sodium, zinc) did not block inhibition.
- Wild-type ureaplasma and Mycoplasma hominis also exhibited differential responses to manganese.
Conclusions:
- Manganese exerts significant inhibitory effects on Ureaplasma urealyticum growth, with strain-specific variations.
- The differential response to manganese can be used to classify Ureaplasma urealyticum strains into distinct biotypes.
- Magnesium plays a role in modulating manganese toxicity in Ureaplasma urealyticum.