Comparison of Microorganisms Clinical Microbiology Review 286
BACTERIA CHLAMYDIA MYCOPLASMA RICKETTSIAE VIRUSES
Size
DNA & RNA?
Ribosomes?
Reproduce by binary fission?
Cell wall?
Growth on nonliving medium?
Obligate intracellular parasite?
Gram stain?
Susceptible to antibiotics?
0.4–2 μm
Both
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Most are not
Yes
Yes
0.3–0.5 μm
Both
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
300 nm
Both
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
0.3–0.5 μm
Both
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
25–300 nm
Either
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
No