Novel Perspective for Treatment of Mycoplasma Infections: A Promising Future

Mycoplasma is a bacterium that lacks a cell wall around its cell membrane, that makes it naturally resistant to antibiotics such as beta-lactams, which target cell wall synthesis. These bacteria can be parasitic or saprotrophic. Several species of these bacteria are pathogenic in humans, including M. pneumoniae and M. genitalium . Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection occurs worldwide and is more prevalent in colder months. It affects mainly children aged 5 to 9 years. It is spread by close personal contact and has a long incubation period. Ureaplasma urealyticum is spread primarily through sexual contact. Women may be asymptomatic reservoirs. Mycoplasma species are usually sensitive to tetracyclines, macrolides, and the newer quinolones. Tetracycline or erythromycin is recommended for treatment of M. pneumoniae , although effective treatment of the symptoms usually is not accompanied by eradication of the organism from the infected host. The antibiotic-resistant strains of Mycoplasma spp. are increasing worldwide, therefore, the aim of this review was to assess new methods and approaches for treatment of infections caused by Mycoplasma species.