Mycoplasmas are tiny bacteria that cause a number of urogenital and respiratory diseases in humans. Some of them live peacefully on genital mucous membranes without us noticing. However, sometimes mycoplasmas cause diseases – mycoplasma infections.
Mycoplasma
Mycoplasmas are the smallest and simplest known organisms that reproduce themselves. Unlike other bacteria, they have only a thin membrane instead of a cell wall. The class to which they belong is therefore called mollicutes (“soft-skinned”). They are dependent on host organisms. Their tiny size, simplicity and lack of cell wall and thus deformability equip them optimally for their parasitic existence and allow them to attach tightly to the membranes of host cells, but also to become mobile by gliding movements when needed. These survival mechanisms appear to be very effective – Mollicutes are estimated to be as old as 65 million years.
Mycoplasma infections
Pathogens relevant to humans are Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum for urogenital infections and Mycoplasma pneumoniae for atypical pneumonia. While the latter germ is always disease-causing, the other two are so-called commensals, i.e., they normally live on their host without harming it. Sometimes, however, they cause local inflammation, esp.
- Of the urethra (urethritis),
- But also of the prostate,
- Of the renal pelvis,
- Of the vagina or uterus from.
Also progressive infections with fever and general symptoms can occur and even for joint inflammation e.g. Reiter’s syndrome, the pathogens (eg Ureaplasma urealyticum) seem to be responsible. The cause is probably a reduced local or general weakness of the immune defense, e.g., in the context of antibiotic therapy, cancer, or after surgery or childbirth.
Mycoplasma infection sexually transmitted
Mycoplasma infections are among the sexually transmitted diseases, so they are passed on during sexual intercourse. In addition, more than 50% of Ureaplasma urealyticum are transmitted to the child during pregnancy or birth. Possible consequences are low birth weight, premature birth, and respiratory and meningeal infections of the newborn. Whether mycoplasmas are also responsible for miscarriages and infertility is controversial. Whether and how many mycoplasmas take up residence on the genital mucous membranes depends largely on sexual activity and the number of sexual partners. For example, they are found in up to three-quarters of women and up to 45% of men with frequently changing sexual intercourse. In the course of life, most seem to have come into contact with the germs – in almost 95% of middle-aged persons, antibodies against mycoplasma are detectable in the blood.
Mycoplasma infection: symptoms and signs.
Symptoms are usually mild and uncharacteristic. They depend on where the infection is located (vagina, bladder, ureters, prostate, kidneys, renal pelvis, fallopian tubes, ovaries). Common symptoms include increased urination, discomfort and burning during urination, yellowish discharge (urethritis), and pain in the kidney area (pyelonephritis).
Mycoplasma: therapy and detection
Since mycoplasmas also occur in many healthy people, it is not always easy to clarify whether they are really the cause of the disease. If Ureaplasma urealyticum is detected in the child, this may indicate sexual abuse. The germs can be detected by cultivation on nutrient media. The test material used is urine, ejaculate, prostate secretion or a swab from the urethra in men, urine or swabs from the vagina, cervix or urethra in women, and amniotic fluid or swabs from the egg skin in pregnant women. The result is available after 6 days at the latest. Treatment is carried out with antibiotics if there are symptoms of the disease. However, not all of them are suitable, since agents such as penicillin attack the cell walls. Since mycoplasmas do not possess any, therapeutic agents with other mechanisms of action must be used (e.g., erythromycin). To prevent re-infection, sexual partners should be treated as well, even if they have no symptoms.
- Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum also settle on the genital mucous membranes of healthy people.
- Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum can cause v.a. inflammation of the genitourinary tract.
- Infection occurs through unprotected sexual intercourse or during pregnancy from mother to child.
- Therapy is with antibiotics when symptoms of the disease.
- The sexual partners should also be treated.