Quick Review Cards for Medical Laboratory Science

Mycoplasma/Ureaplasma Clinical Microbiology Review 217

ORGANISM PATHOGENICITY OTHER

Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Mycoplasma hominis

Ureaplasma

Smallest free-living cells. Lack cell wall. Pleomorphic. Not visible

by Gram staining. Difficult to grow. Culture rarely performed. May

take 21 days or more. Usually Dx by serology.

Only species that will grow on SBA & CHOC but may require

4 days. Pinpoint translucent colonies easily overlooked. “Fried-egg”

colonies seen with stereomicroscope after staining with methylene

blue. Serological methods available.

Granular brown appearance on A8 agar because of urease produc-

tion. Serological methods available.

Primary atypical pneumonia

(walking pneumonia)

Urogenital tract disease

Urogenital tract disease