Mycoplasma

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           Mycoplasmas are a group of small, wall-less organisms, of which Mycoplasma pneumoniae is the major pathogen.

Their most striking feature is the absence of a cell wall.1 Consequently, mycoplasmas stain poorly with Gram stain, and antibiotics that inhibit cell wall synthesis, eg, penicillins and cephalosporins, are ineffective.

Immunity is incomplete, and second episodes of disease can occur.

During M pneumoniae infection, autoantibodies are produced against red cells (cold agglutinins) and brain, lung, and liver cells.

This organism is the most frequent cause of pneumonia in young adults and is responsible for outbreaks in groups with close contacts such as families, military personnel, and college students.