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Antibiotic susceptibilities of AIDS-associated mycoplasmas

S A Poulin1, R E Perkins, R B Kundsin

  • 1Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|April 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotic susceptibility testing reveals that key mycoplasma species, potential cofactors in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) progression, are susceptible to doxycycline, tetracycline, and macrolides like azithromycin.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Mycoplasmas are implicated as cofactors in the progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
  • Understanding mycoplasma antibiotic susceptibilities is crucial for potential therapeutic interventions in HIV-infected individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the in vitro antibiotic susceptibilities of various Mycoplasma species relevant to HIV/AIDS pathogenesis.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of commonly prescribed antibiotics against clinical isolates of Mycoplasma fermentans, Mycoplasma penetrans, and Mycoplasma pirum.

Main Methods:

  • Six mycoplasma strains, including clinical isolates from AIDS patients, were tested.
  • Antibiotics evaluated: doxycycline, tetracycline, clindamycin, ofloxacin, erythromycin, azithromycin, and clarithromycin.
  • Macrodilution metabolic inhibition assay and Sensititre Gram Positive MIC Panel were employed for susceptibility testing.

Main Results:

  • All tested mycoplasma strains demonstrated susceptibility to doxycycline, tetracycline, clindamycin, ofloxacin, azithromycin, and clarithromycin.
  • Mycoplasma penetrans was susceptible to erythromycin, while Mycoplasma fermentans strains and Mycoplasma pirum showed resistance.
  • Results from macrodilution and Sensititre methods showed agreement for tetracycline, clindamycin, and erythromycin.

Conclusions:

  • Doxycycline, tetracycline, azithromycin, and clarithromycin are effective against the studied Mycoplasma species.
  • Erythromycin efficacy varies, with resistance observed in certain Mycoplasma fermentans strains and Mycoplasma pirum.
  • These findings support the use of specific antibiotics for managing mycoplasma infections in the context of HIV/AIDS.

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