Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma in Clinical Specimens

Author: Julie Ann West, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CMSMCM
Reviewer: Judi Bennett, BSM, MLS(AMT), MLT(ASCP)
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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours: 1 hour(s)

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE Credit Hours

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE - General (Microbiology/Mycology/Parasitology): 1 hour(s)

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This course describes the significance, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of medically important Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma infections in humans.

Objectives

  • Describe the general characteristics of cell wall-deficient Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma bacteria.
  • Explain the classifications of Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma, limited to M. pneumoniae, M. genitalium, M. hominis, U. parvum, and U. urealyticum.
  • Explain the etiology, pathogenesis, and transmission of these cell wall-deficient microorganisms as agents of disease in humans.
  • Describe the clinical significance and epidemiology of disease concerning these microorganisms.
  • Discuss collection and transport, as well as special laboratory testing procedures for the diagnosis of disease concerning these cell wall-deficient microorganisms.
  • Describe and discuss treatment (susceptibility patterns) for Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma infections.

Course Outline

  • General Characteristics of Cell Wall-Deficient Bacteria
    • Cell Wall-deficient Bacteria
    • Which statement is true regarding cell wall-deficient bacteria?
    • The use of specific media formulations can yield the growth of a cell wall-deficient colony that appears as:
  • Classification of Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma
    • Classification
    • Which of the following is a true statement regarding the classification of the cell wall-deficient bacteria?
    • At this time, the medically important cell wall-deficient bacteria include all of the following, except:
  • Etiology, Pathogenesis, and Transmission
    • Etiology
    • Pathogenesis
    • Transmission
    • What does the word etiology describe?
    • In pathogenesis, the disease-causing mycoplasmas possess an ability to do all of the following, except:
    • In the Mollicutes, transmission to humans occurs primarily through which of the following?
  • Clinical Significance and Epidemiology
    • Clinical Significance
    • Epidemiology
    • Mycoplasma pneumoniae is well-known for causing:
    • In which populations are serious infections caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae most likely to occur?
    • True or False: Ureaplasma parvum is known as "atypical pneumonia" in cases of community-acquired pneumonia.
  • Diagnosis of Infection: Collection, Transport, and Test Methods
    • Specimen Collection
    • Specimen Transport and Storage
    • Staining
    • Culture
    • Special Test Methods and Limitations
    • Susceptibility Test Methods
    • Regarding collection (and dependent on the method of detection used), which general statement is false?
    • Regarding specimen storage, choose the correct (true) statement from the following choices:
    • All of the following statements regarding special testing procedures are true, except which one?
  • Treatment and Recent Developments
    • Susceptibility Patterns and Treatment of Infections
    • Recent Developments
    • Most of the Mollicutes are resistant to which antibiotics?
    • True or False: Emergence of multidrug-resistant mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas has been identified in immunocompromised patients.
    • Regarding a newly developed immuno-chromatographic assay for M. pneumoniae, which answer choice is true?
  • References
    • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Basic to Intermediate 
Intended Audience: Medical laboratory scientists and medical laboratory technicians. This course is also appropriate for medical laboratory science students and pathology residents.
Author Information: Dr. Julie Ann West is certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) and as a Specialist in Microbiology (SM). In addition, Dr. West has earned a PhD in Public Health - Epidemiology Specialization (emphasis on infectious disease) - and is Certified in Public Health (CPH) by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Dr. West is experienced as a Technical Specialist, Safety Officer, Educator, and Lead in the Veterans Administration Healthcare System, and has prior experience as an Administrative Laboratory Director.
The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.  
Reviewer Information:  Judi Bennett, BSM, MLS(AMT), MLT(ASCP), is an Education Developer with MediaLab by Vastian, bringing over 30 years of experience as a medical laboratory scientist. Before joining MediaLab, she held key leadership roles, including Clinical Laboratory Manager, Microbiology Supervisor, and Senior Systems Analyst at Gwinnett Health System in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Her extensive knowledge of laboratory operations, combined with a strong commitment to healthcare quality and education, fuels her passion for developing engaging and effective learning tools for the next generation of laboratorians.
Course Description: This course describes the significance, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of medically important Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma infections in humans.