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Journal of Bacteriology Nov 2014In recent decades, bacterial cell biology has seen great advances, and numerous model systems have been developed to study a wide variety of cellular processes,... (Review)
Review
In recent decades, bacterial cell biology has seen great advances, and numerous model systems have been developed to study a wide variety of cellular processes, including cell division, motility, assembly of macromolecular structures, and biogenesis of cell polarity. Considerable attention has been given to these model organisms, which include Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Caulobacter crescentus, and Myxococcus xanthus. Studies of these processes in the pathogenic bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae and its close relatives have also been carried out on a smaller scale, but this work is often overlooked, in part due to this organism's reputation as minimalistic and simple. In this minireview, I discuss recent work on the role of the M. pneumoniae attachment organelle (AO), a structure required for adherence to host cells, in these processes. The AO is constructed from proteins that generally lack homology to those found in other organisms, and this construction occurs in coordination with cell cycle events. The proteins of the M. pneumoniae AO share compositional features with proteins with related roles in model organisms. Once constructed, the AO becomes activated for its role in a form of gliding motility whose underlying mechanism appears to be distinct from that of other gliding bacteria, including Mycoplasma mobile. Together with the FtsZ cytoskeletal protein, motility participates in the cell division process. My intention is to bring this deceptively complex organism into alignment with the better-known model systems.
Topics: Bacterial Adhesion; Bacterial Proteins; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; Mycoplasma pneumoniae
PubMed: 25157081
DOI: 10.1128/JB.01865-14 -
Journal of the Formosan Medical... Oct 2020To date, molecular typing studies on Mycoplasma pneumoniae are limited. We evaluated the molecular types of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in pediatric patients in Taiwan in 2016.
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE
To date, molecular typing studies on Mycoplasma pneumoniae are limited. We evaluated the molecular types of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in pediatric patients in Taiwan in 2016.
METHODS
We used real-time quantitative PCR on respiratory specimens to identify M. pneumoniae in children with community-acquired pneumonia. The domain V of their 23S rRNA were sequenced for detection of macrolide-resistant point mutations. Molecular typing with multiple locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) was done for both macrolide-susceptible and -resistance M. pneumoniae samples.
RESULTS
M. pneumoniae was detected in 22% (180/826) respiratory samples during the study period. Among all M. pneumoniae-positive samples, 24% (43/180) had harbored macrolide-resistant genotypes, and 86% (37/43) of them were A2063G mutation. Forty-two macrolide-resistant strains and 20 randomly selected macrolide-susceptible strains underwent MLVA profiling. MLVA 4-5-7-2 was the most frequent type (32/62, 52%), followed by 4-5-7-3 (17/62, 27%) and 1-5-6-2 (9/62, 15%). There was a strong association between MLVA 4-5-7-2 and macrolide resistance (p < 0.001). In contrast, M 4-5-7-3 and 1-5-6-2 were related to macrolide susceptibility (p < 0.001, and p = 0.025, respectively).
CONCLUSION
Macrolide resistance was relatively low (24%) in this age group in 2016 in Taiwan, and A2063G was the dominant point mutation. MLVA 4-5-7-2 was associated with macrolide resistance.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Humans; Macrolides; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Taiwan
PubMed: 31924377
DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2019.12.008 -
Future Microbiology Dec 2008Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections in persons of all ages and may be responsible for up to 40% of community-acquired... (Review)
Review
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections in persons of all ages and may be responsible for up to 40% of community-acquired pneumonias. A wide array of extrapulmonary events may accompany the infections caused by this organism, related to autoimmunity or direct spread. This review includes a discussion of the latest knowledge concerning the molecular pathological basis of mycoplasmal respiratory disease, how the organism interacts with the host immune system and its association with the development of chronic conditions such as asthma, recent emergence of macrolide resistance and the status of laboratory diagnostic methods.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Humans; Macrolides; Mycoplasma Infections; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma
PubMed: 19072181
DOI: 10.2217/17460913.3.6.635 -
PloS One 2017Manifestations of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection can range from self-limiting upper respiratory symptoms to various neurological complications, including speech and...
Manifestations of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection can range from self-limiting upper respiratory symptoms to various neurological complications, including speech and language impairment. But an association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and speech and language impairment has not been sufficiently explored. In this study, we aim to investigate the association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and subsequent speech and language impairment in a nationwide population-based sample using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. We identified 5,406 children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection (International Classification of Disease, Revision 9, Clinical Modification code 4830) and compared to 21,624 age-, sex-, urban- and income-matched controls on subsequent speech and language impairment. The mean follow-up interval for all subjects was 6.44 years (standard deviation = 2.42 years); the mean latency period between the initial Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and presence of speech and language impairment was 1.96 years (standard deviation = 1.64 years). The results showed that Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection was significantly associated with greater incidence of speech and language impairment [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.23-1.80]. In addition, significantly increased hazard ratio of subsequent speech and language impairment in the groups younger than 6 years old and no significant difference in the groups over the age of 6 years were found (HR = 1.43, 95% CI:1.09-1.88 for age 0-3 years group; HR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.25-2.23 for age 4-5 years group; HR = 1.14, 95% CI: 0.54-2.39 for age 6-7 years group; and HR = 0.83, 95% CI:0.23-2.92 for age 8-18 years group). In conclusion, Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is temporally associated with incident speech and language impairment.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Language; Male; Mycoplasma Infections; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Speech Disorders; Taiwan
PubMed: 28672017
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180402 -
Molecular Microbiology May 2018The Mycoplasma pneumoniae terminal organelle functions in adherence and gliding motility and is comprised of at least eleven substructures. We used electron...
The Mycoplasma pneumoniae terminal organelle functions in adherence and gliding motility and is comprised of at least eleven substructures. We used electron cryotomography to correlate impaired gliding and adherence function with changes in architecture in diverse terminal organelle mutants. All eleven substructures were accounted for in the prkC, prpC and P200 mutants, and variably so for the HMW3 mutant. Conversely, no terminal organelle substructures were evident in HMW1 and HMW2 mutants. The P41 mutant exhibits a terminal organelle detachment phenotype and lacked the bowl element normally present at the terminal organelle base. Complementation restored this substructure, establishing P41 as either a component of the bowl element or required for its assembly or stability, and that this bowl element is essential to anchor the terminal organelle but not for leverage in gliding. Mutants II-3, III-4 and topJ exhibited a visibly lower density of protein knobs on the terminal organelle surface. Mutants II-3 and III-4 lack accessory proteins required for a functional adhesin complex, while the topJ mutant lacks a DnaJ-like co-chaperone essential for its assembly. Taken together, these observations expand our understanding of the roles of certain terminal organelle proteins in the architecture and function of this complex structure.
Topics: Adhesins, Bacterial; Bacterial Adhesion; Bacterial Proteins; Electron Microscope Tomography; Electrons; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Organelles
PubMed: 29470845
DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13937 -
International Journal of Infectious... Aug 2020To report atypical pathogens from clinical trial data comparing delafloxacin to moxifloxacin in the treatment of adults with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Randomized Controlled Trial
Efficacy of delafloxacin versus moxifloxacin against atypical bacterial respiratory pathogens in adults with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP): Data from the Delafloxacin Phase 3 CABP Trial.
OBJECTIVES
To report atypical pathogens from clinical trial data comparing delafloxacin to moxifloxacin in the treatment of adults with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP).
METHODS
Multiple diagnostic methods were employed to diagnose atypical infections including culture, serology, and urinary antigen.
RESULTS
The microbiological intent-to-treat (MITT) population included 520 patients; 30% had an atypical bacterial pathogen identified (156/520). Overall, 13.1% (68/520) had a monomicrobial atypical infection and 2.3% (12/520) had polymicrobial all-atypical infections. Among patients with polymicrobial infections, Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most frequently occurring co-infecting organism and Chlamydia pneumoniae was the most frequently occurring co-infecting atypical organism. For Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila, serology yielded the highest number of diagnoses. Delafloxacin and moxifloxacin had similar in vitro activity against M. pneumoniae and delafloxacin had greater activity against L. pneumophila. Two macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae isolates were recovered. No fluoroquinolone-resistant M. pneumoniae were isolated. The rates of microbiological success (documented or presumed eradication) at test-of-cure were similar between the delafloxacin and moxifloxacin groups. There was no evidence of a correlation between minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and outcome; a high proportion of favorable outcomes was observed across all delafloxacin baseline MICs.
CONCLUSIONS
Delafloxacin may be considered a treatment option as monotherapy for CABP in adults, where broad-spectrum coverage including atypical activity is desirable.
Topics: Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Community-Acquired Infections; Female; Fluoroquinolones; Humans; Legionella pneumophila; Macrolides; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Moxifloxacin; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Young Adult
PubMed: 32534142
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.06.018 -
The Journal of Antimicrobial... Oct 2020Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) causes community-acquired pneumonia affecting mainly children, and tends to produce cyclic outbreaks. The widespread use of macrolides is...
BACKGROUND
Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) causes community-acquired pneumonia affecting mainly children, and tends to produce cyclic outbreaks. The widespread use of macrolides is increasing resistance rates to these antibiotics. Molecular tools can help in diagnosis, typing and resistance detection, leading to better patient management.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the MP genotypes and resistance pattern circulating in our area while comparing serological and molecular diagnosis of MP.
METHODS
Molecular and serological diagnosis of MP was performed in 821 samples collected in Badalona (Barcelona, Spain) from 2013 to 2017. Multiple locus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) and macrolide resistance detection by pyrosequencing were performed in those cases positive by PCR. Presence of respiratory viruses and relevant clinical data were also recorded.
RESULTS
MP was detected in 16.8% of cases by PCR, with an overall agreement with serology of 76%. Eleven different MLVA types were identified, with 4-5-7-2 (50.1%) and 3-5-6-2 (29.2%) being the most abundant, with the latter showing a seasonal increase during the study. A total of 8% of the strains harboured a point substitution associated with macrolide resistance, corresponding mainly to an A2063G 23S rRNA mutation and directly related to previous macrolide therapy. Analysis of respiratory viruses showed viral coinfections in most cases.
CONCLUSIONS
Serological and molecular tools combined could improve MP diagnosis and the analysis of its infection patterns. Macrolide resistance is associated with previous therapy. Given that MP pneumonia usually resolves spontaneously, it should be reconsidered whether antibiotic treatment is suitable for all cases.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Female; Humans; Macrolides; Male; Molecular Typing; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; RNA, Ribosomal, 23S; Spain
PubMed: 32653897
DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkaa256 -
BioMed Research International 2020Extensive studies have focused on the diagnosis and treatment of infection; however, rare studies investigated the posttreatment conditions. We analyzed the carrying... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
BACKGROUND
Extensive studies have focused on the diagnosis and treatment of infection; however, rare studies investigated the posttreatment conditions. We analyzed the carrying status of in the respiratory tract of children before and after treatment.
METHODS
Ninety-two children with pneumonia were included in this study. Clinical data were obtained from each patient, and pharyngeal swab sampling was performed at preliminary diagnosis and discharge. Real-time PCR and dilution quantitative culture were utilized to determine the DNA quantification and number of viable from samples collected upon preliminary diagnosis and discharge.
RESULTS
All the 92 cases showed DNA positivity upon preliminary diagnosis, serum IgM antibody was detected in 80 patients, and positivity of culture was observed in 82 cases. Upon discharge, the nucleotide and culture positivity were detected in 87 and 49 cases, respectively. The content of viable was 10-10 CCU/mL and 10-10 CCU/mL in the preliminary diagnosis samples and discharge samples, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Real-time PCR was rapid and effective for the qualitative diagnosis of at the early stage, but it cannot be used to evaluate the prognosis of patients with infection. Quantitative analysis for DNA could not directly reflex the viable strain content.
Topics: Adolescent; Antibodies, Bacterial; Child; Child, Preschool; DNA, Bacterial; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin M; Male; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Pharynx; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 31998803
DOI: 10.1155/2020/9814916 -
PLoS Medicine 2013Mycoplasma pneumoniae is thought to be a common cause of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in children. The diagnosis of M. pneumoniae RTIs currently relies on... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is thought to be a common cause of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in children. The diagnosis of M. pneumoniae RTIs currently relies on serological methods and/or the detection of bacterial DNA in the upper respiratory tract (URT). It is conceivable, however, that these diagnostic methods also yield positive results if M. pneumoniae is carried asymptomatically in the URT. Positive results from these tests may therefore not always be indicative of a symptomatic infection. The existence of asymptomatic carriage of M. pneumoniae has not been established. We hypothesized that asymptomatic carriage in children exists and investigated whether colonization and symptomatic infection could be differentiated by current diagnostic methods.
METHODS AND FINDINGS
This study was conducted at the Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital and the after-hours General Practitioners Cooperative in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Asymptomatic children (n = 405) and children with RTI symptoms (n = 321) aged 3 mo to 16 y were enrolled in a cross-sectional study from July 1, 2008, to November 30, 2011. Clinical data, pharyngeal and nasopharyngeal specimens, and serum samples were collected. The primary objective was to differentiate between colonization and symptomatic infection with M. pneumoniae by current diagnostic methods, especially real-time PCR. M. pneumoniae DNA was detected in 21.2% (95% CI 17.2%-25.2%) of the asymptomatic children and in 16.2% (95% CI 12.2%-20.2%) of the symptomatic children (p = 0.11). Neither serology nor quantitative PCR nor culture differentiated asymptomatic carriage from infection. A total of 202 children were tested for the presence of other bacterial and viral pathogens. Two or more pathogens were found in 56% (63/112) of the asymptomatic children and in 55.5% (50/90) of the symptomatic children. Finally, longitudinal sampling showed persistence of M. pneumoniae in the URT for up to 4 mo. Fifteen of the 21 asymptomatic children with M. pneumoniae and 19 of the 22 symptomatic children with M. pneumoniae in this longitudinal follow-up tested negative after 1 mo.
CONCLUSIONS
Although our study has limitations, such as a single study site and limited sample size, our data indicate that the presence of M. pneumoniae in the URT is common in asymptomatic children. The current diagnostic tests for M. pneumoniae are unable to differentiate between asymptomatic carriage and symptomatic infection.
Topics: Adolescent; Antibodies, Bacterial; Asymptomatic Diseases; Bacteriological Techniques; Carrier State; Chi-Square Distribution; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; DNA, Bacterial; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Infant; Logistic Models; Male; Multivariate Analysis; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Netherlands; Odds Ratio; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Predictive Value of Tests; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Respiratory System; Serologic Tests; Time Factors
PubMed: 23690754
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001444 -
Journal of Clinical Microbiology Mar 2014An outbreak at a university in Georgia was identified after 83 cases of probable pneumonia were reported among students. Respiratory specimens were obtained from 21...
An outbreak at a university in Georgia was identified after 83 cases of probable pneumonia were reported among students. Respiratory specimens were obtained from 21 students for the outbreak investigation. The TaqMan array card (TAC), a quantitative PCR (qPCR)-based multipathogen detection technology, was used to initially identify Mycoplasma pneumoniae as the causative agent in this outbreak. TAC demonstrated 100% diagnostic specificity and sensitivity compared to those of the multiplex qPCR assay for this agent. All M. pneumoniae specimens (n=12) and isolates (n=10) were found through genetic analysis to be susceptible to macrolide antibiotics. The strain diversity of M. pneumoniae associated with this outbreak setting was identified using a variety of molecular typing procedures, resulting in two P1 genotypes (types 1 [60%] and 2 [40%]) and seven different multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) profiles. Continued molecular typing of this organism, particularly during outbreaks, may enhance the current understanding of the epidemiology of M. pneumoniae and may ultimately lead to a more effective public health response.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteriological Techniques; Bodily Secretions; Disease Outbreaks; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Female; Genetic Variation; Georgia; Humans; Macrolides; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Molecular Typing; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Respiratory System; Sensitivity and Specificity; Students; Universities; Young Adult
PubMed: 24371236
DOI: 10.1128/JCM.02810-13