Mycoplasma
| Mycoplasma | |
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| Mycoplasma haemofelis | |
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| Genus: | Mycoplasma Nowak 1929
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over 100 species | |
Mycoplasma is a genus of bacteria. They do not have a cell wall around their cell membrane.[1] They are gram-negative, and need sterols such as cholesterol for growth. Many common antibiotics such as penicillin that target cell walls do not affect mycoplasma. Mycoplasma are the smallest bacterial cells yet discovered.[2] They are typically about 0.1 µm in diameter.
Many species are parasitic, pathogenic or saprophytic, and can survive without oxygen. In humans, M. genitalium causes urethritis, and M. pneumoniae is a common cause of pneumonia. Some live as saprophytes but the majority are parasites of plants and animals. The parasitic nature is due to the inability of mycoplasmal bacteria to synthesise the required growth factor.
References[change | change source]
- ↑ Ryan K.J. & Ray C.G. (eds) (2004). Sherris Medical Microbiology (4th ed.). McGraw Hill. pp. 409–12. ISBN 0-8385-8529-9.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
- ↑ Sweet, Richard L. & Gibbs, Ronald S. 2009. Infectious diseases of the female genital tract. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins,.CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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