Mycoplasmataceae

Mycoplasmataceae is a family of bacteria in the order Mycoplasmatales. This family includes the genera Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma, among others. Members of this family are characterized by the absence of a cell wall, which makes them naturally resistant to many common antibiotics such as penicillin that target cell wall synthesis. They can be parasitic or saprotrophic.

Characteristics

Mycoplasmataceae are typically very small bacteria, ranging from 0.3 to 0.8 micrometers in diameter. They are also characterized by their lack of a cell wall, which distinguishes them from most other bacteria. This characteristic allows them to assume a variety of shapes, and also makes them resistant to antibiotics that target cell wall synthesis.

Genera

The Mycoplasmataceae family includes several genera, including:

• Mycoplasma
• Ureaplasma
• Acholeplasma
• Anaeroplasma
• Asteroleplasma
• Candidatus Hepatoplasma
• Candidatus Phytoplasma
• Entomoplasma
• Hemoplasma
• Mesoplasma
• Spiroplasma

Pathogenicity

Several species within the Mycoplasmataceae family are pathogenic in humans and animals. For example, Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of atypical pneumonia, and Mycoplasma genitalium is associated with sexually transmitted infections.

Treatment

Because Mycoplasmataceae lack a cell wall, they are resistant to many common antibiotics. However, they can be treated with antibiotics that target the bacterial ribosome, such as macrolides and tetracyclines.

See also

• Mycoplasma
• Ureaplasma
• Mycoplasma pneumoniae
• Mycoplasma genitalium

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