E2 Genus Mycoplasma

Question 1

What is unique about Mycoplasma bacteria?

Answer 1

Smallest free-living unicellular organism

Question 2

What is special about the structure of Mycoplasma bacteria?

Answer 2

Lack a cell wall

= No peptidoglycan

Question 3

What tissue are Mycoplasma bacteria trophic for?

Answer 3

Mucus membranes

Question 4

How host specific are Mycoplasmas?

Answer 4

Very host-specific

= NOT zoonotic

Question 5

What is unique about the appearance of colonies of Mycoplasma bacteria in culture?

Answer 5

Fried-egg appearance

Question 6

How does Mycoplasma infect host cells?

Answer 6

It doesn’t!

associates with the surface

Question 7

What are the two most effective methods of diagnosing Mycoplasma infection?

Answer 7

1. Clinical signs

2. Serology (only bacteria so far where this is good)

Question 8

Are there vaccines against Mycoplasma infection?

Answer 8

Yes

but only decrease severity and mortality

Question 9

What clinical signs are caused by Mycoplasma bovis?

Answer 9

1. Mastitis
2. Polyarthritis
3. Pneumonia
4. Otitis in calves

Question 10

What species causes highly fatal bovine suppurative pleuropneumonia?

Answer 10

Mycoplasma mycoides ssp. mycoides SC

Question 11

Where are Mycoplasma mycoides ssp. mycoides SC infections found?

Answer 11

Asia and Sub-Africa

Question 12

Is there a vaccine against Mycoplasma mycoides ssp. mycoides SC?

Answer 12

Yes

Question 13

What is the most common clinical sign in calves with Mycoplasma mycoides ssp. mycoides SC infection?

Answer 13

Unilateral otitis

Question 14

Are some species of Mycoplasma commensals?

Answer 14

Yes!

Question 15

What two species of Mycoplasma are pathogenic in sheep & goats?

Answer 15

1. Mycoplasma mycoides ssp. capri

2. Mycoplasma capripneumoniae

Question 16

Why are the pathogenic Mycoplasma species in sheep & goats so good at causing pneumonia?

Answer 16

Causes ciliostasis

slows clearance of mucus

Question 17

What species causes mastitis in sheep & goats?

Answer 17

Mycoplasma agalactiae

Question 18

What species causes pneumonia in swine?

Answer 18

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

Question 19

What is the disease name for infections from Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae?

Answer 19

Enzootic pneumonia

Question 20

What are the most common clinical signs of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in pigs?

Answer 20

1. Chronic cough (damages cilia)
2. transient diarrhea
3. Reduced weight gain

Question 21

What is the prevalence of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection in pigs?

Answer 21

Very common

Question 22

What species of Mycoplasma is a commensal in swine?

Answer 22

Mycoplasma hyorhinis

Question 23

What are two species that seem to be unaffected by Mycoplasma infection?

Answer 23

Dogs & horses

Question 24

What species of Mycoplasma caused fatal conjunctivitis in house finches?

Answer 24

Mycoplasma gallisepticum

Question 25

What species of Mycoplasma causes synovitis in poultry?

Answer 25

Mycoplasma synoviae

Question 26

What species of Mycoplasma causes severe disease in turkeys and is of great economic importance?

Answer 26

Mycoplasma meleagridis

Question 27

What ages are most affected by Mycoplasma meleagridis infection?

Answer 27

Young turkeys | infected by adult carriers

Question 28

What disease is caused by Mycoplasma felis?

Answer 28

Conjunctivitis in kittens

Question 29

Can Mycoplasma felis be a commensal bacteria in cats?

Answer 29

Yes!

Question 30

What disease is caused by Mycoplasma haemofelis?

Answer 30

Feline infectious anemia

Question 31

How is Mycoplasma haemofelis transmitted?

Answer 31

1. Arthropod vectors | 2. Rat bites

Question 32

What cells does Mycoplasma haemofelis infect? Where does the bacteria set up shop?

Answer 32

RBCs | On the surface of the cell

Question 33

What test is most useful to diagnose Mycoplasma haemofelis in cats?

Answer 33

Coombs-positive | antibody test

Question 34

Can infected cats become carriers? For how long?

Answer 34

Yes | For life!