Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma Dr. R. K. Kalyan Associate Professor Microbiology Dept. Kgmu mycoplasma

Laboratory Diagnosis

• 3. Typical “fried egg” appearance of colonies - Central opaque granular area of growth extending into the depth of the medium, surrounded by a flat, translucent peripheral zone.
• 4. Colonies best seen with a hand lens after staining with Diene’s method.
• 5. Produce beta hemolytic colonies, can agglutinate guinea pig erythrocytes.

• Dr Ekta,Microbiology, GMCA

• Fried egg colonies

• Except for M. pneumoniae colonies which have a
• granular appearance, described as being mulberry shaped

Identification of Isolates

• Growth Inhibition Test – inhibition of growth around discs impregnated with specific antisera.
• Immunofluorescence on colonies transferred to glass slides.
• Molecular diagnosis
• PCR-based tests are being developed and these are expected to be the diagnostic test of choice in the future.
• These should have good sensitivity and be specific

Identification of Isolates

• Serological diagnosis
• Specific tests – IF, HAI
• 2. Non specific serological tests – cold agglutination tests (Abs agglutinate human group O red cells at low temperature, 4C).
• 1:32 titer or above is significant.

Ureaplasma urealyticum

• Strains of mycoplasma isolated from the urogenital tract of human beings & animals.
• Form very tiny colonies - hence called T strain or T form of mycoplasmas.
• Hydrolyzes urea

Genital Infections

• Caused by M. hominis & U. urealyticum
• Transmitted by sexual contact
• Men - Nonspecific urethritis, proctitis, balanoposthitis & Reiter’s syndrome
• Women – acute salpingitis, PID, cervicitis, vaginitis
• Also associated with infertility, abortion, postpartum fever, chorioamnionitis & low birth weight infants

Mycoplasma & HIV infection

• Severe & prolonged infections in HIV infected & other immunodeficient individuals