Which of the following metabolizes arginine?
A. Mycoplasma pneumoniaeB. Mycoplasmagenitalium
C. Mycoplasma homilies
D. Ureaplasma urealyticum.
Ans. C. Mycoplasma homilies
Mechanisms
of Pathogenicity
•Adherence
of mycoplasmas to the surface of the host cell is necessary for colonization
and infection. Some pathogenic mycoplasmas are flask-shaped, with specialized
tips that enhance adherence.
•M.
pneumoniae adheres via a network of interactive adhesins and accessory proteins
and produces hydrogen peroxide, which may cause injury to host cells.
•M.
pneumoniae may evoke IgM autoantibodies that agglutinate human erythrocytes at
4°C. These cold agglutinins can cause anemia and other complications.
•
M. hominis metabolizes arginine, with the production of potentially cytotoxic
amounts of ammonia. Ureap/asmas have been laced in a separate genus because of
their unique urease activity; the metabolism of urea a/so produces ammonia.
