Related Experiment Videos
Susceptibility of mycoplasmas to antimicrobial agents: clinical implications
1Department of Medicine, State University of New York Health Science Center, Brooklyn 11203.
Abstract:
Mycoplasmas are susceptible to antimicrobial agents that affect DNA, RNA, protein synthesis, or the integrity of the cell membrane. Mycoplasmas are not susceptible to agents that interfere with synthesis of folic acid or that act on the cell wall. Tetracyclines, erythromycin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones have been shown to have activity against one or more mycoplasmal species. Tetracycline-resistant isolates of Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum contain DNA sequences homologous to the streptococcal determinant tetM. Resistance to tetracycline in vitro is associated with failure of tetracycline treatment to eradicate M. hominis and U. urealyticum from the human urogenital tract.
Insights
Mycoplasmas are susceptible to certain antibiotics affecting DNA, RNA, protein synthesis, or cell membranes, but not those targeting folic acid or cell walls. Tetracycline resistance in Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum is linked to treatment failure.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Antimicrobial Resistance
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Mycoplasmas lack cell walls, influencing their susceptibility to antibiotics.
- Certain antimicrobial classes are effective against mycoplasmas, targeting essential cellular processes.
- Tetracycline resistance is a growing concern in clinical settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of mycoplasmas.
- To investigate the mechanisms of tetracycline resistance in Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum.
- To correlate in vitro resistance with clinical treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of antimicrobial activities against various Mycoplasma species.
- Analysis of genetic determinants (tetM) associated with tetracycline resistance.
- Correlation of in vitro susceptibility data with clinical treatment efficacy.
Main Results:
- Mycoplasmas are susceptible to agents inhibiting DNA, RNA, protein synthesis, or cell membrane integrity.
- Agents interfering with folic acid synthesis or cell wall synthesis are ineffective.
- Tetracycline-resistant Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum harbor tetM DNA sequences.
- In vitro tetracycline resistance correlates with treatment failure in the human urogenital tract.
Conclusions:
- Understanding mycoplasmal susceptibility is crucial for effective antimicrobial therapy.
- The tetM gene is a key factor in tetracycline resistance in M. hominis and U. urealyticum.
- Clinical treatment failure underscores the importance of monitoring antimicrobial resistance patterns.