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Infection, Genetics and Evolution :... May 2003Mycoplasma pneumoniae has classically been considered an extracellular (or membrane-associated) organism. Nevertheless, the recently elucidated genomic structure of this... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Mycoplasma pneumoniae has classically been considered an extracellular (or membrane-associated) organism. Nevertheless, the recently elucidated genomic structure of this pathogen strongly suggest that this organism may have been subjected to the process of reductive genetic evolution which is characteristic of intracellular bacteria. We studied the Mycoplasma pneumoniae RYC15989 strain, recovered from a pericardial biopsy sample from a patient with atypical pneumonia and acute pericarditis. The interaction of this strain with human hepatocytes Hep-G2 and mouse neuroblastoma N2-A cell lines was investigated. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and electronic microscopy evidence is presented of the intracellular location of fluorochrome-labelled Mycoplasma pneumoniae in cell lines infected with the organism in vitro. This finding provides preliminary evidence of cellular invasive capacity of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and casts some new light on the pathogenic potential of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in host infection.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Cell Line; Coculture Techniques; Genome, Bacterial; Hepatocytes; Humans; Mice; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Neuroblastoma; Tumor Cells, Cultured
PubMed: 12797972
DOI: 10.1016/s1567-1348(02)00151-x -
World Journal of Microbiology &... May 2018Nowadays, there is lack of effective serological detection method for Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) infection in clinic. In this study, the mimic epitopes of M....
Nowadays, there is lack of effective serological detection method for Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) infection in clinic. In this study, the mimic epitopes of M. pneumoniae were screened to evaluate the role in the serodiagnosis of M. pneumoniae infection. The M. pneumoniae-positive serum was used as the target for biopanning to phage display random 7-peptide library. The positive phage clones were selected and the DNA were sequenced and analyzed by BLAST. The representative phages were identified using dot immunoblotting and ELISA. The exogenous heptapeptides were synthesized and their reactions with M. pneumonia-positive serum were tested by indirect ELISA. Two heptapeptides, namely heptapeptide 1: TVNFKLY and heptapeptide 2: LPQRLRT, were screened out from the randomly selected 40 phages after the four bio-panning rounds. They had high homologies to some M. pneumoniae antigens. Besides, the representative bacteriophage containing heptapeptide 1 or 2 could react with the M. pneumonia- positive serum. The sensitivities of heptapeptide 1 and heptapeptide 2 for the diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infection were 90.1 and 80.0%, respectively, and the specificities were 94.3 and 97.1%, respectively. Therefore the two heptapeptides were the mimic epitopes of M. pneumoniae and might have potential serological diagnosis value for M. pneumoniae infection.
Topics: Antibodies, Bacterial; Case-Control Studies; Child; Child, Preschool; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Epitope Mapping; Epitopes; Female; Humans; Male; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Peptide Library; Peptides; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Serologic Tests
PubMed: 29845357
DOI: 10.1007/s11274-018-2467-y -
Advances in Experimental Medicine and... 2011
Review
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Humans; Mycoplasma Infections; Mycoplasma pneumoniae
PubMed: 22125034
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-0204-6_5 -
FEMS Microbiology Letters Apr 2001Mycoplasmas are cell wall-less bacteria at the low extreme in genome size in the known prokaryote world, and the minimal nature of their genomes is clearly reflected in... (Review)
Review
Mycoplasmas are cell wall-less bacteria at the low extreme in genome size in the known prokaryote world, and the minimal nature of their genomes is clearly reflected in their metabolic and regulatory austerity. Despite this apparent simplicity, certain species such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae possess a complex terminal organelle that functions in cytadherence, gliding motility, and cell division. The attachment organelle is a membrane-bound extension of the cell and is characterized by an electron-dense core that is part of the mycoplasma cytoskeleton, defined here for working purposes as the protein fraction that remains after extraction with the detergent Triton X-100. This review focuses on the architecture and assembly of the terminal organelle of M. pneumoniae. Characterizing the downstream consequences of defects involving attachment organelle components has made it possible to begin to elucidate the probable sequence of certain events in the biogenesis of this structure.
Topics: Adhesins, Bacterial; Amino Acid Sequence; Bacterial Adhesion; Cytoskeleton; Molecular Sequence Data; Movement; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Organelles
PubMed: 11325545
DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2001.tb10610.x -
Microbiology and Immunology Aug 2011In innate immunity, cationic antimicrobial peptides including cathelin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) are known to play critical roles in protecting the host from...
In innate immunity, cationic antimicrobial peptides including cathelin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) are known to play critical roles in protecting the host from infection by invasive microbes, including Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. However, little is known about the interactions between CRAMP and mycoplasmas. In the present study, the antimicrobial activity of CRAMP against M. pneumoniae and the expression of CRAMP in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of M. pneumoniae-infected mice was examined. CRAMP at 10-20 μg/mL reduced the growth of two strains of M. pneumoniae by 100 to 1000-fold. The amount of CRAMP in the BALF of M. pneumoniae-infected mice was 20∼25 ng/mL by ELISA. The presence of mature CRAMP in BALF was observed by Western blotting. Neutrophils in BALF showed a fair amount of CRAMP in their cytoplasm by immunofluorescence. Furthermore, the addition of M. pneumoniae resulted in the release of a large amount of CRAMP from neutrophils induced by thioglycolate. These results suggest that CRAMP from neutrophils may play an important role in protection against M. pneumoniae infection.
Topics: Animals; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; Blotting, Western; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Cathelicidins; Cytoplasm; Disease Models, Animal; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Neutrophils; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Rodent Diseases
PubMed: 21605160
DOI: 10.1111/j.1348-0421.2011.00353.x -
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal Apr 2021Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is an atypical bacterial pathogen that typically causes mild respiratory symptoms. Rarely, MP is associated with acute respiratory distress...
Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is an atypical bacterial pathogen that typically causes mild respiratory symptoms. Rarely, MP is associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome, a condition marked by widespread inflammation in the lungs that often requires invasive support. We report a case of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in an otherwise healthy adolescent because of MP.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; Healthy Volunteers; Humans; Male; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Respiratory Distress Syndrome; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33427801
DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000003051 -
Molecular Microbiology Jun 2010Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes acute and chronic respiratory infections, including tracheobronchitis and community acquired pneumonia, and is linked to asthma and an array...
Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes acute and chronic respiratory infections, including tracheobronchitis and community acquired pneumonia, and is linked to asthma and an array of extra-pulmonary disorders. Recently, we identified an ADP-ribosylating and vacuolating toxin of M. pneumoniae, designated Community Acquired Respiratory Distress Syndrome (CARDS) toxin. In this study we analysed CARDS toxin gene (annotated mpn372) transcription and identified its promoter. We also compared CARDS toxin mRNA and protein profiles in M. pneumoniae during distinct in vitro growth phases. CARDS toxin mRNA expression was maximal, but at low levels, during early exponential growth and declined sharply during mid-to-late log growth phases, which was in direct contrast to other mycoplasma genes examined. Between 7% and 10% of CARDS toxin was localized to the mycoplasma membrane at mid-exponential growth, which was reinforced by immunogold electron microscopy. No CARDS toxin was released into the medium. Upon M. pneumoniae infection of mammalian cells, increased expression of CARDS toxin mRNA was observed when compared with SP-4 broth-grown cultures. Further, confocal immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that M. pneumoniae readily expressed CARDS toxin during infection of differentiated normal human bronchial epithelial cells. Analysis of M. pneumoniae-infected mouse lung tissue revealed high expression of CARDS toxin per mycoplasma cell when compared with M. pneumoniae cells grown in SP-4 medium alone. Taken together, these studies indicate that CARDS toxin expression is carefully controlled by environmental cues that influence its transcription and translation. Further, the acceleration of CARDS toxin synthesis and accumulation in vivo is consistent with its role as a bona fide virulence determinant.
Topics: Animals; Bacterial Proteins; Bacterial Toxins; Base Sequence; Cell Line; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; Humans; Lung; Lung Diseases; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; RNA, Messenger; Respiratory Distress Syndrome
PubMed: 20199607
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2010.07092.x -
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy Feb 2015Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a major pathogen causing community-acquired pneumoniae (CAP), which is generally treated with macrolides. In recent years, however, although...
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a major pathogen causing community-acquired pneumoniae (CAP), which is generally treated with macrolides. In recent years, however, although macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae has been reported frequently, particularly in China, very little is known about the prevalence of macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae infection in adults. In this study, we survey the macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae in adults in Zhejiang province and characterize the mechanisms of resistance to macrolide. Six hundred fifty throat swab samples were collected from adult patients with CAP from January 2012 to August 2014. These samples were assayed by nested PCR and then cultivated for M. pneumoniae. All isolates were sequenced to determine the mutation in domain V of the 23S rRNA gene. The activities of 10 antibiotics against macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae isolates were also investigated in vitro. Moreover, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the amplified P1 gene was used to type 50 resistant strains. One hundred percent (71/71) of M. pneumoniae strains isolated from adults with CAP were resistant to erythromycin (MIC=128 to >256 μg/ml), clarithromycin (MIC=128 to >256 μg/ml), and azithromycin (MIC=32 to >64 μg/ml). Furthermore, all macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae strains identified had an A2063G mutation in domain V of the 23S rRNA gene. Forty-six resistant strains (92.0%) were classified into type I strain on the basis of P1 gene PCR-RFLP analysis. According to these findings, it is suggested that macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae infection is very prevalence among adults in Zhejiang province. Thus, there is necessary to perform the epidemiological monitoring of macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae in the future.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Clarithromycin; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Erythromycin; Female; Humans; Macrolides; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; RNA, Ribosomal, 23S; Young Adult
PubMed: 25451048
DOI: 10.1128/AAC.04308-14 -
Journal of Bacteriology Dec 2011Homologous recombination between repeated DNA elements in the genomes of Mycoplasma species has been hypothesized to be a crucial causal factor in sequence variation of...
Homologous recombination between repeated DNA elements in the genomes of Mycoplasma species has been hypothesized to be a crucial causal factor in sequence variation of antigenic proteins at the bacterial surface. To investigate this notion, studies were initiated to identify and characterize the proteins that form part of the homologous DNA recombination machinery in Mycoplasma pneumoniae as well as Mycoplasma genitalium. Among the most likely participants of this machinery are homologs of the Holliday junction migration motor protein RuvB. In both M. pneumoniae and M. genitalium, genes have been identified that have the capacity to encode RuvB homologs (MPN536 and MG359, respectively). Here, the characteristics of the MPN536- and MG359-encoded proteins (the RuvB proteins from M. pneumoniae strain FH [RuvB(FH)] and M. genitalium [RuvB(Mge)], respectively) are described. Both RuvB(FH) and RuvB(Mge) were found to have ATPase activity and to bind DNA. In addition, both proteins displayed divalent cation- and ATP-dependent DNA helicase activity on partially double-stranded DNA substrates. The helicase activity of RuvB(Mge), however, was significantly lower than that of RuvB(FH). Interestingly, we found RuvB(FH) to be expressed exclusively by subtype 2 strains of M. pneumoniae. In strains belonging to the other major subtype (subtype 1), a version of the protein is expressed (the RuvB protein from M. pneumoniae strain M129 [RuvB(M129)]) that differs from RuvB(FH) in a single amino acid residue (at position 140). In contrast to RuvB(FH), RuvB(M129) displayed only marginal levels of DNA-unwinding activity. These results demonstrate that M. pneumoniae strains (as well as closely related Mycoplasma spp.) can differ significantly in the function of components of their DNA recombination and repair machinery.
Topics: Adenosine Triphosphatases; Amino Acid Sequence; Bacterial Proteins; DNA Helicases; Molecular Sequence Data; Mycoplasma genitalium; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Protein Binding; Sequence Alignment; Substrate Specificity
PubMed: 21949077
DOI: 10.1128/JB.06003-11 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Oct 2008
Topics: Adolescent; Endocarditis, Bacterial; Humans; Male; Mycoplasma Infections; Mycoplasma pneumoniae
PubMed: 18826843
DOI: 10.3201/eid1410.080157