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Microorganisms
Special Issues
Advances in Mycoplasma Research
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Advances in Mycoplasma Research

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 6938

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Li Xiao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35249, USA
Interests: Mycoplasma; Ureaplasma; pathogenesis; drug resistance; molecular biology and genetics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Mycoplasmas, the smallest self-replicating bacteria, have captivated researchers for decades due to their unique biology, minimalistic genomes, and diverse interactions with hosts. This Special Issue is dedicated to showcasing the latest advances in mycoplasma research, providing a platform for researchers to share insights into the molecular mechanisms, pathogenicity, host interactions, and potential applications of these intriguing microorganisms.

Mycoplasmas, which are characterized by their lack of a cell wall and streamlined genomes, exhibit a remarkable ability to colonize a variety of hosts, including humans, animals, and plants. This Special Issue welcomes original research articles, reviews, and contributions that span the following areas:

  • Physiological mechanisms: insights into the unique molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern the biology of mycoplasmas, including genome evolution, metabolism, and cell structure.
  • Host interactions: exploration of the interactions between mycoplasmas and their diverse hosts, unraveling the strategies employed for colonization and evasion of host immune responses.
  • Pathogenicity and diseases: understanding the role of mycoplasmas in human, animal, and plant diseases, with a focus on emerging pathogens and the molecular basis of pathogenicity.
  • Antimicrobial strategies: advances in the development of antimicrobial strategies, including antibiotics and novel therapeutic approaches, to combat mycoplasma infections.
  • Biotechnological applications: discovering the potential applications of mycoplasmas in biotechnology, such as synthetic biology, vaccine development, and industrial processes.

We hope to compile a collection of articles that reflect the cutting-edge research being conducted in the field of mycoplasma biology. Researchers and experts are invited to contribute their findings, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of mycoplasma research and paving the way for future breakthroughs in microbiology.

Dr. Li Xiao
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • mycoplasmas
  • physiological mechanisms
  • pathogenicity
  • host interactions
  • antimicrobial strategies
  • biotechnological applications

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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15 pages, 3183 KiB  
Article
Characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia in Romanian Children
by Alexandru Ioan Ulmeanu, Georgiana-Eugenia Ciuparu and Elena Roxana Matran
Microorganisms 2025, 13(4), 883; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13040883 - 11 Apr 2025
Viewed by 290
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae), traditionally associated with mild community-acquired pneumonia in school-aged children, has experienced a delayed resurgence following the COVID-19 pandemic. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of M. pneumoniae pneumonia in children within the context of this global resurgence [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae), traditionally associated with mild community-acquired pneumonia in school-aged children, has experienced a delayed resurgence following the COVID-19 pandemic. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of M. pneumoniae pneumonia in children within the context of this global resurgence have not been well established in Romania. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, single-center study analyzed children diagnosed with M. pneumoniae pneumonia who were hospitalized in the pulmonology department of “Grigore Alexandrescu” Emergency Hospital for Children in Bucharest from March to December 2024. Clinical, laboratory, and radiographic data were extracted from hospital records. M. pneumoniae infection was confirmed through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) multiplex panel detection or specific IgM antibody levels ≥ 10 AU/mL. Results: The final analysis included 63 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The cohort’s median age [IQR] was 12.6 [8–15] years, with 11.1% (n = 7) under 6 years old. The radiographic findings revealed a predominance of right lung involvement (52.4%, n = 33, p = 0.03) and a significantly higher prevalence of alveolar infiltrates compared to interstitial patterns (88.9%, n = 56, p < 0.001). Antibiotic choice did not significantly affect hospitalization duration. Pleural effusion emerged as a common complication, occurring in 27% (n = 17) of patients and associated with elevated admission leukocyte counts (p = 0.007). Rare extrapulmonary manifestations included meningoencephalitis (1.6%, n = 1) and reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption (3.2%, n = 2). Notably, co-infections with other respiratory pathogens did not extend hospital stays. Conclusions: This study contributes to the evolving global epidemiological profile of M. pneumoniae infections in the post-pandemic era. It establishes a foundation for future multi-center analyses aimed at monitoring the changing epidemiology and clinical presentations of M. pneumoniae infections in pediatric populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mycoplasma Research)
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18 pages, 11090 KiB  
Article
Alteration in Tracheal Morphology and Transcriptomic Features in Calves After Infection with Mycoplasma bovis
by Fan Liu, Fei Yang, Lei Guo, Mengmeng Yang, Yong Li, Jidong Li, Yanan Guo and Shenghu He
Microorganisms 2025, 13(2), 442; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13020442 - 18 Feb 2025
Viewed by 657
Abstract
Mycoplasma bovis is one of the most important pathogens in animal husbandry, and the current infection and morbidity rates are increasing year by year, causing great losses to the farming industry and seriously affecting animal welfare. In this study, we took tracheal tissues [...] Read more.
Mycoplasma bovis is one of the most important pathogens in animal husbandry, and the current infection and morbidity rates are increasing year by year, causing great losses to the farming industry and seriously affecting animal welfare. In this study, we took tracheal tissues from calves infected with M. bovis to make pathological tissue sections for observation, and selected tracheal tissues for transcriptome sequencing to screen differentially expressed genes based on the threshold |log2FoldChange| > 1 and Padjust < 0.05 and functional enrichment, to explore in depth the potential mechanisms of bovine tracheal damage caused by bovine tracheitis. Experiments were conducted to observe the changes in tracheal tissues after M. bovis infection through pathological sections of the trachea of M. bovis-infected calves. From the transcriptome sequencing results, we mined the main differential genes and important metabolic pathways of M. bovis causing damage to the trachea of calves. It was found that the cricoid cartilage tissue of the trachea was congested and hemorrhagic after M. bovis infection in calves, and the pathological sections showed localized necrosis of epithelial cells, disorganization, high inflammatory cell infiltration in the interepithelial and lamina propria, and some epithelial cell detachment. Transcriptome sequencing identified 4199 DEGs, including 1378 up-regulated genes and 2821 down-regulated genes. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that the differential genes were enriched to 59 significantly differing signaling pathways, and a number of important metabolic pathways related to tracheitis induced by M. bovis-infected calves were unearthed. The major ones included IL-17, the Toll-like receptor, JAK/STAT, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, etc. In this study, we found that M. bovis infection of calves caused inflammatory damage to the trachea, and transcriptome sequencing results also showed significant differences in the expression of key genes such as IL-6 inflammatory factor, CASP8, and APOA1. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mycoplasma Research)
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18 pages, 4133 KiB  
Article
Differential Immunological Responses of Adult Domestic and Bighorn Sheep to Inoculation with Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae Type Strain Y98
by Sally A. Madsen-Bouterse, David R. Herndon, Paige C. Grossman, Alejandra A. Rivolta, Lindsay M. Fry, Brenda M. Murdoch and Lindsay M. W. Piel
Microorganisms 2024, 12(12), 2658; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12122658 - 21 Dec 2024
Viewed by 798
Abstract
Bighorn sheep (BHS) populations have been reported to experience high levels of morbidity and mortality following infection with Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae. This contrasts with the subclinical presentation in domestic sheep (DS). Understanding this difference requires baseline knowledge of pre- and post-infection immune responses [...] Read more.
Bighorn sheep (BHS) populations have been reported to experience high levels of morbidity and mortality following infection with Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae. This contrasts with the subclinical presentation in domestic sheep (DS). Understanding this difference requires baseline knowledge of pre- and post-infection immune responses of both species. The present study identifies differences in leukocyte phenotypes between adult BHS and DS before and after intranasal inoculation with 1 × 108 Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae. Prior to inoculation, BHS were confirmed to have a higher abundance of leukocyte CD14 and serum concentrations of IL-36RA. In contrast, DS had a higher leukocyte abundance of CD16 in addition to previously observed integrin markers and CD172a, as well as greater serum TNF-α concentrations. Within 15 days of inoculation, BHS displayed signs of mild respiratory disease and M. ovipneumoniae DNA was detected on nasal swabs using a quantitative PCR; meanwhile, DS exhibited few to no clinical signs and had levels of M. ovipneumoniae DNA below the standard curve threshold. Immunologic markers remained relatively consistent pre- and post-inoculation in DS, while BHS demonstrated changes in the peripheral leukocyte expression of CD172a and CD14. Circulating serum IL-36RA decreased and CXCL10 increased within BHS. These findings highlight significant differences in cellular immunity between BHS and DS, raised and housed under similar conditions, prior to and following inoculation with M. ovipneumoniae. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mycoplasma Research)
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13 pages, 1658 KiB  
Article
The Development and Evaluation of a New Inactivated Vaccine against Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum
by Noha Semmate, Zahra Bamouh, Zouhair Elkarhat, Soufiane Elmejdoub, Mazen Saleh, Ouafaa Fassi Fihri and Mehdi Elharrak
Microorganisms 2024, 12(6), 1118; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12061118 - 31 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1302
Abstract
Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum (Mcc) and Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (Mccp) are pathogens that affect large and small ruminants. Indeed, Mcc affects both sheep and goats, causing contagious agalactia (CA). Mccp affects only goats, causing contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP). CA and CCPP are [...] Read more.
Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum (Mcc) and Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (Mccp) are pathogens that affect large and small ruminants. Indeed, Mcc affects both sheep and goats, causing contagious agalactia (CA). Mccp affects only goats, causing contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP). CA and CCPP are mainly controlled using inactivated Mcc and Mccp vaccines. However, producing the vaccine with the Mccp strain is complex, fastidious, and costly due to the slow growth of the bacterium. In this study, we present new oil-adjuvanted and inactivated Mcc and Mccp vaccines for sheep and goats against CA and CCPP. The vaccines were evaluated for safety and efficacy using experimental infection. A serological response was observed one week after of the first vaccination of sheep and goats with Mcc and goats with Mccp. The vaccinated animals were subsequently challenged with the virulent Mcc MOR20 strain. The Mcc vaccine was demonstrated to provide robust protection when the animals were challenged with Mcc MOR20. Cross-protection against the Mcc MOR20 challenge was also obtained with the Mccp vaccine. This finding revealed, for the first time, the safety and efficacy of an inactivated Mcc vaccine against contagious agalactia and cross-protection between Mcc and Mccp strains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mycoplasma Research)
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9 pages, 232 KiB  
Commentary
Research Progress in the Development of Vaccines against Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae
by Shaopeng Wu, Miaoli Wang, Xiaoxue Yang, Lu Zhao, Zouran Lan and Shuhong Sun
Microorganisms 2024, 12(8), 1699; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12081699 - 17 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1942
Abstract
Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) are the primary agents responsible for mycoplasma disease in poultry. MG has been identified as a significant cause of chronic respiratory disease in chickens, while MS has been linked to the development of tenosynovitis, joint swelling [...] Read more.
Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) are the primary agents responsible for mycoplasma disease in poultry. MG has been identified as a significant cause of chronic respiratory disease in chickens, while MS has been linked to the development of tenosynovitis, joint swelling and other symptoms in chickens, leading to considerable economic losses for the poultry industry. Unfortunately, there is no specific drug for treatment and vaccination is the most important way to control the disease. There are some different types of vaccines, including live vaccines, inactivated vaccines, sub-unit vaccines and vector vaccines. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the development of vaccines for MG and MS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mycoplasma Research)
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