The Genus Mycoplasma and Bovine Mycoplasmas

Question 1

Where do Mycoplasmas generally reside?

Answer 1

on host non-enteric mucosal surfaces

Question 2

In general, what diseases do Mycoplasmas produce?

Answer 2

diseases that spread slowly and produce little or no mortality but there are exceptions

Question 3

What class does Mycoplasma belong in?

Answer 3

Mollicutes

Question 4

What genera are recognized in the class Mollicutes as important in gene production?

Answer 4

Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma

Question 5

True or False - Mycoplasma is the largest living structure capable of growth in cell-free medium.

Answer 5

false - it’s the smallest

Question 6

What is special about the cell wall of Mycoplasma?

Answer 6

it doesn’t have one - the outer layer of mycoplasmas is analogous to the inner cell membrane of other bacteria

Question 7

Why are Mycoplasmas resistant to penicillin?

Answer 7

because they do not synthesize peptidoglycan

Question 8

What is the morphology of Mycoplasma?

Answer 8

pleomorphic, coccoid to filamentous, often pear-shaped, faintly gram-negative, and usually non motile

Question 9

What colonies of Mycoplasmas look like?

Answer 9

small and have a characteristic fried egg appearance due to growth of the center of the colonies down to the medium

Question 10

What genus does Mycoplasma share an anscestor with?

Answer 10

Clostridia

Question 11

In normal animals, where do mycoplasma live?

Answer 11

mucous membrane surfaces of the respiratory tract, eyes, urogenital tract, mouth, and mammary glands

Question 12

In disease, where are mycoplasmas found?

Answer 12

lungs, conjunctiva, urethra, mammary glands, joints, serosal surfaces, and the brain

Question 13

What are the optimal growth conditions for Mycoplasmas?

Answer 13

Ph: 7-8, high humidity, and increased CO2

Question 14

What are some other characteristics of Mycoplasmas?

Answer 14

Immunosuppression, specialized attachment to host cells, hemolysis, ammonia, antigenic shift, and super antigens

Question 15

What antimicrobials are routinely used to treat Mycoplasmas?

Answer 15

Linomycin and tylocin, tilmicosin, tulathromycin, zuprevo, tetracyclines, and tiamulin

Question 16

What is the best way to prevent Mycoplasmas?

Answer 16

immunization

Question 17

What are the common bovine mycoplasmas?

Answer 17

Mycoplasma mycoides subspcies mycoides SC, Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma bovoculi, Mycoplasma dispar, Ureplasma diversum, Mycoplasma bovigenitalium

Question 18

What is Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides SC the cause of?

Answer 18

contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP)

Question 19

Where is Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides SC endemic to?

Answer 19

most of Africa and parts of Asia (India and China)

Question 20

How is Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides SC transmitted?

Answer 20

by droplet, aerosol, and contact - primarily by inhilation

Question 21

Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides SC primarily effects cattle, what other species can it affect?

Answer 21

buffalo, yak, reindeer, and bison

Question 22

What tissues is bronchopneumonia caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides SC limited to?

Answer 22

lungs with involvement of intrapulmonary lymphatics and thoracic lymph nodes

Question 23

How is Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides SC diagnosed?

Answer 23

PCR testing, isolation, and CF test

Question 24

What is the best preventative measure for Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides SC?

Answer 24

elimination of infected herds where possible

Question 25

What immunization is given for Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides SC?

Answer 25

avirulent strains given intranasally

Question 26

How do you treat Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides SC?

Answer 26

tetracylcines - but it is discouraged because the organism is only suppressed and chronic carriers result

Question 27

What is the most serious Mycoplasma of cattle in countries where Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides SC is not present?

Answer 27

Mycoplasma bovis

Question 28

How is Mycoplasma bovis transmitted?

Answer 28

by droplet, contact, direct contamination of the mammary gland or through milk or colostrum, and semen

Question 29

What are the msot common disease processes associated with Mycoplasma bovis?

Answer 29

mastitis, pneumonia, otitis, and polyarthritis

Question 30

What is Mycoplasma bovis occasionally involved in?

Answer 30

abortion, subcutaneous abcesses, and meningitis

Question 31

What toxin does Mycoplasma bovis produce and what is its function?

Answer 31

a glycoprotein toxin that produces inflammation in mammary tissue and may include necrosis of lung tissue

Question 32

How are cattle with Mycoplasma bovis treated?

Answer 32

they aren't - they are usually culled or at least segregated from the rest of the herd until they can be culled

Question 33

How is Mycoplasma bovis prevented?

Answer 33

pasteurization and immunization

Question 34

Is immunization against Mycoplasma bovis effective?

Answer 34

yes for the respiratory infection and mastitis but it does not provide solid immunity

Question 35

What infection does Mycoplasma bovoculi predispose for?

Answer 35

Moraxella bovis which produces pink eye

Question 36

What diseases does Mycoplasma dispar cause?

Answer 36

pneumonia in calves

Question 37

Where is Mycoplasma dispar commonly found?

Answer 37

in the respiratory tract

Question 38

How long does the infection from Mycoplasma dispar usually last?

Answer 38

2-5 months

Question 39

Mycoplasma dispar results in suprression of antibody response to __________ _______-.

Answer 39

Mycoplasma bovis

Question 40

What appears to be important to the development of Mycoplasma dispar?

Answer 40

hypersensitivity

Question 41

What disease has Ureaplasma diversum been incriminated in causing?

Answer 41

granular vulvo-vaginitis and infertility in cows

Question 42

Recently Ureaplasma diversum has been revealed to be the major cause of what in cattle?

Answer 42

abortion

Question 43

How does disease from Ureaplasma diversum occur?

Answer 43

new strains are entered into the herd because this organism is found in nasal passages and the vulvovaginal tract and in the prepuce and semen of males

Question 44

What disease processes have been associated with Ureaplasma diversum?

Answer 44

abortions, severe erosive and pitting arthritis with synovitis, pneumonia in calves, and conjunctivitis

Question 45

Where does arthritis and synovitis due to Ureaplasma diversum typically effect?

Answer 45

stifles, hips, and shoulders

Question 46

How is Ureaplasma diversum diagnosed?

Answer 46

PCR on placenta, abomasal contents, and fetal tissue along with gross or histologic lesions

Question 47

What diseases processes can Mycoplasma bovigenitalium cause?

Answer 47

seminial vesiculitis, epididymitis, orchitis, and urethritis

Question 48

What is Mycoplasma bovigenitalium a common contaminant of?

Answer 48

semen

Question 49

What has Mycoplasma bovigenitalium been isolated from?

Answer 49

Mastitis cases