What are the characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae?
Mycoplasma pneumoniae cells have an elongated shape that is approximately 0.1–0.2 µm (100-200 nm) in width and 1-2 µm (1000-2000 nm) in length. The extremely small cell size means they are incapable of being examined by light microscopy; a stereomicroscope is required for viewing the morphology of M.
How do you identify mycoplasma pneumonia?
Symptoms
- Chest pain.
- Chills.
- Cough, usually dry and not bloody.
- Excessive sweating.
- Fever (may be high)
- Headache.
- Sore throat.
What are the characteristics of mycoplasma?
Important characteristics of Mycoplasma species
- Cell wall is absent and plasma membrane forms the outer boundary of the cell.
- Due to the absence of cell walls these organisms can change their shape and are pleomorphic.
- Lack of nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
Which one of the following is most characteristic of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection?
Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria commonly cause mild infections of the respiratory system (the parts of the body involved in breathing). The most common illness caused by these bacteria, especially in children, is tracheobronchitis (chest cold).
What are the 4 most important characteristics of atypical pneumonia?
These might include a prominent headache, a low-grade fever, an earache, and a sore throat. Symptoms of atypical pneumonia tend to be milder and more persistent than those of typical pneumonia, which appear suddenly, and cause a more serious illness.
What is the structure of Mycoplasma?
Mycoplasmas are the smallest and simplest self-replicating bacteria. The mycoplasma cell contains the minimum set of organelles essential for growth and replication: a plasma membrane, ribosomes, and a genome consisting of a double-stranded circular DNA molecule ( Fig. 37-1).
How is mycoplasma identified in the lab?
Mycoplasma testing includes a group of tests that either measure antibodies in the blood produced in response to a mycoplasma infection or detect the microbe directly through culturing or by detecting its genetic material (DNA) in a body sample. It is most often used to detect Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M.
How does mycoplasma differ from other bacteria?
Mycoplasmas are distinguished phenotypically from other bacteria by their minute size and total lack of a cell wall. Taxonomically, the lack of cell walls is used to separate mycoplasmas from other bacteria in a class named Mollicutes (mollis, soft; cutis, skin, in Latin).
What is the shape of mycoplasma?
Mycoplasmas are spherical to filamentous cells with no cell walls. There is an attachment organelle at the tip of filamentous M pneumoniae, M genitalium, and several other pathogenic mycoplasmas. Fried-egg-shaped colonies are seen on agar.
How does Mycoplasma pneumoniae differ from bacteria?
M. pneumoniae differs from other bacteria in ways that impact the methods used for diagnosis of infection: It can pass through filters typically used to remove bacteria. Light microscopy cannot detect it.
How can you distinguish between typical and atypical pneumonia?
Typical pneumonia is usually caused by bacterial pathogens like Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus. Klebsiella pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae etc. In contrast, atypical CAP is characterized by preceeding upper airway symptoms, myalgias, fever without chills, headache and unproductive cough.