Mycoplasmosis– inflammatory infectious disease, which develops when mycoplasmas, the smallest known bacteria, multiply. They live in a wide variety of organisms, including humans and animals. Mycoplasmas do not have their own cell wall, only a membrane, due to which they easily attach to epithelial cells of the genitourinary and respiratory systems and to sperm. They also affect the joints and mucous membranes of the eyes, and can cause autoimmune reactions (allergy to the tissues of one’s own body).
In total, more than 100 types of mycoplasmas are known, of which only five are dangerous to humans:
“sexual” types of mycoplasmas
- Mycoplasmagenitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealiticum cause urogenital mycoplasmosis or;
- Mycoplasmapneumonia– respiratory mycoplasmosis;
- M. fermentans and M. penetrans contribute to the development of AIDS symptoms.
Mycoplasmas They are considered opportunistic: they can cause diseases, but only if the body is weakened. In healthy people they do not manifest themselves as bacteria - commensals without bringing any benefit or harm. Asymptomatic presence of mycoplasmas ( M. hominis) was detected in half of women and in 1/4 of all newborn girls. In men, carriage is practically undetectable; if infected, self-healing is possible.
Pathsinfection– through sexual contact, the infection is also transmitted to the child during pregnancy and childbirth from the mother. The household route is unlikely: mycoplasmas are sensitive to high temperatures and humidity, die under the influence of ultraviolet radiation and weak radiation, acidic and alkaline solutions, but are resistant to cold for a long time. They can exist and reproduce only inside the body, at temperatures up to 37 0.
Manifestations of mycoplasmosis in women
Urogenital mycoplasmosis in women manifests itself in the form of bacterial vaginosis (), mycoplasma, inflammation of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries, pyelonephritis. Pathogen – Mycoplasma hominis. Mycoplasmosis is often combined with ureaplasmosis.
The cause of female infertility due to mycoplasmosis is chronic inflammation of the internal genital organs.
Bacterial vaginosis
Bacterialvaginosis is imbalance of microflora in the vagina. Normally, it is populated by lactobacilli, which produce lactic acid and a strong oxidizing agent - hydrogen peroxide, which prevent the development of pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria. If for some reason there are fewer lactobacilli, then the acidity of the vaginal walls decreases and rapid proliferation of microorganisms begins. They usually coexist with lactobacilli Mycoplasma hominis And Gardnerella vaginalis, the growth of their populations is associated with the clinical manifestations of bacterial vaginosis.
In bacterial vaginosis, pathogenic bacteria adhere to the vaginal cells
Reasons for the development of vaginosis:
- Frequent douching with antiseptics containing chlorine ( miramistin, gibitan);
- Condoms or contraceptive suppositories with 9-nonoxynol ( pantenox oval, nonoxynol);
- Uncontrolled use of oral antibiotics, suppositories or vaginal antibiotic tablets ( terzhinan, betadine, polzhinaks);
- Change of sexual partners.
Symptomsvaginosis – , thin and liquid, grayish-white in color, having the smell of rotten fish. Women often associate the appearance of an unpleasant odor with lack of personal hygiene and use douching. However, these actions only exacerbate inflammation and contribute to the spread of mycopalsmosis to the cervix and ascending infection up to the ovaries. Possible complications of gardnerellosis include salpingo- and infertility, as well as problems with miscarriage and premature birth.
Urethritis
Urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra associated with Mycoplasmagenitalium. In 30-49% of non-gonococcal urethritis, mycoplasmas are detected, and in women they are found more often and in higher titers than in men. Symptoms are typical - mucous or mixed with pus. In acute cases, the temperature rises and general intoxication appears (headaches and muscle pain, chills, weakness). An infection ascending from the urethra affects the bladder, then the ureters and kidneys, causing pyelonephritis.
Effects on reproductive organs
Inflammationuterus and its appendages It begins with pain in the lumbar region and lower abdomen, then mucous discharge appears from the cervix and vagina, and bleeding occurs during and between menstruation. Women complain of constant fatigue and lack of strength, lack of appetite and sleep disturbances. This picture is typical for chronic course of genital mycoplasmosis.
At acute form illness, the temperature rises sharply, the discharge becomes profuse and purulent. The peritoneum is involved in the process, and limited peritonitis develops. Possible formation of ovarian abscesses and pyometra - accumulations of pus in the uterine cavity. Treatment in these cases is surgical, with drainage of the purulent focus or removal of the organ.
Mycoplasmosis and pregnancy
Atpregnancy mycoplasmosis can lead to infection of the endometrium and ovum, triggering the production of substances that increase the contractile activity of the myometrium (muscular layer of the uterus). As a result, a frozen pregnancy and spontaneous abortion are observed. early stages. The danger is incomplete abortion, when parts of the fetus or membranes remain in the uterine cavity. The uterus first reacts to foreign bodies with contractions, and then with complete relaxation; Heavy bleeding begins and the woman quickly loses consciousness. Without intense medical care Possible death.
Symptoms of mycoplasmosis in men
The main manifestations after infection with Mycoplasma genitalium in men are urethritis and. Differences from female urogenital mycoplasmosis: characterized by an almost asymptomatic course; mono-infection rarely spreads to the kidneys, but often ends in infertility; There is no carriage of mycoplasmas among men.
Urethritis begins with a slight burning sensation when urinating, after a couple of days the symptoms disappear. Inflammation of the prostate gland occurs latently, appears with mild dull pain in the lower back and gradually increasing problems with erection. The symptoms of mycoplasmosis appear more clearly in the presence of combinedinfections and combination with urogenital ureaplasmosis and chlamydia. Ureaplasmas together with mycoplasmas are found in 30-45% of patients with prostatitis, chlamydia - in 40% of men with non-gonococcal urethritis. In such cases, signs appear more often arthritis– joint pain, local swelling and redness of the skin; ascending infection with kidney damage; local inflammation of the genital organs - (testicles), (epididymis), (inflamed seminal vesicles).
Male infertility with mycoplasmosis develops not only due to inflammation, but also due to impaired spermatogenesis.
Mycoplasmosis in children
Uchildren mycoplasmosis is observed after infection in utero, during normal childbirth or after cesarean section. The upper respiratory tract is most often affected - rhinitis and pharyngitis, then tracheitis and bronchitis develop, and then pneumonia. The causative agent of respiratory mycoplasmosis is Mycoplasmapneumonia– with the help of flagella, it attaches to the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract and destroys their walls.
Next, mycoplasmas penetrate into the alveoli of the lungs, where gas exchange occurs - venous blood gets rid of carbon dioxide, receives oxygen in return and turns into arterial blood. The walls of alveolar cells are very thin and are easily destroyed by mycoplasmas. The partitions between the alveoli thicken and the connective tissue becomes inflamed. As a result, it develops interstitialpneumonia of newborns, characteristic of congenital mycoplasmosis.
In those infected with mycoplasma prematurechildren possible respiratory distress, development scleromas newborns (thickening of the skin and subcutaneous tissue), hemorrhages in the parietal and occipital regions ( cephalohematomas), increased bilirubin and jaundice, the development of inflammation of the brain and its membranes (meningoencephalitis). Ufull-term babies– pneumonia, subcutaneous hemorrhages, late symptoms of meningoencephalitis.
Respiratory mycoplasmosis
Pathogen – Mycoplasmapneumonia. Bacteria are released from the respiratory tract a week and a half after the onset of the disease, transmitted by airborne droplets or through objects. Respiratory mycoplasmosis has seasonal trends and is more common in the autumn-winter period. 2-4 yearly increases in incidence are typical. Immunity lasts 5-10 years or more, the course of the disease depends on the immune status. In general, respiratory mycoplasmosis in humans accounts for 5-6% of all acute respiratory infections and 6-22% of diagnosed pneumonia, during epidemic outbreaks - up to 50%.
consequence of respiratory mycoplasmosis – pneumonia
Mycoplasma respiratory infection is more common in children and young people. Children 5-14 years old become infected M. pneumoniae in 20-35% of cases of all acute respiratory infections, adolescents and people aged 19-23 years - in 15-20% of cases. There is a combination of mycoplasmas with viral infections (influenza and parainfluenza, adenovirus,). Complications – pneumonia, sepsis, meningoencephalitis, hemolytic anemia, joint inflammation.
Incubationperiod– up to 1 month, then symptoms of a common cold appear, turning into a painful dry cough. With a mild form of the disease, the temperature rises slightly, the patient complains of aching muscle pain and general malaise. On examination - dilated scleral vessels, pinpoint hemorrhages under the mucous membranes, and a “loose” throat. The cervical and submandibular lymph nodes are enlarged. Dry rales are heard in the lungs, the general condition of the patient is satisfactory. The disease lasts 1-2 weeks and ends without complications.
Acutemycoplasma pneumonia begins suddenly, against the background of acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections. Characterized by a rapid rise in temperature to 39-40, severe chills and muscle pain; dry cough gradually turns into wet cough. Examination: the skin is pale, the sclera has dilated vessels, a rash is possible around the joints. On auscultation – scattered dry and moist rales; on the image – foci of compaction (focal, segmental or interstitial, often near the roots of the lungs). Consequences: bronchiectasis - dilatation of the bronchi, pneumosclerosis - replacement of active lung tissue with connective tissue.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of urogenital mycoplasmosis is based on the method ( polymerase chain reaction), in which the DNA of mycoplasmas is determined. They also use the classic method, with sowing the material on a liquid medium and then reseeding it on a solid one. Mycoplasmas are identified by the fluorescence of colonies after the addition of specific antisera. Serological methods for detecting mycoplasmas are the complement fixation reaction (CFR) and the indirect agglutination reaction (IRGA).
cultural method - bacteriological culture
As material For laboratory testing, a smear from the urethra and discharge from the prostate gland, a smear from the rectum, semen, and morning urine (the first portion) are taken from men. In women - a smear from the cervix, vestibule of the vagina, urethra and anus, the first portion of urine in the morning. To diagnose bacterial vaginosis ( gardnerellosis) it is not the presence of mycoplasmas that is critical, but their number, so they do a culture and evaluate the number of bacterial colonies of the pathogens.
Importantprepare properly so that the analysis is reliable. Women are recommended to give urine and smears before menstruation or 2-3 days after it ends. Men should not urinate for 3 hours before submitting urine and urogenital smears. In parallel with PCR for mycoplasmosis, a reaction is carried out for chlamydia and ureaplasmosis. If respiratory mycoplasmosis is suspected, a throat swab and sputum are taken.
Treatment
Treatment of mycoplasmosis begins with antibiotics, to which chlamydia and ureaplasma are also sensitive. For the treatment of urogenital and respiratory forms, drugs of the macrolide group are chosen - erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin. Azithromycin Take only on an empty stomach, one hour before meals or 2 hours after meals, once a day. Dosage for adults for acute urogenital mycoplasmosis - 1 g once, for respiratory - 500 mg on the first day, then 250 mg, course for three days. Azithromycin is not prescribed to pregnant and lactating women.
Back-up antibiotics – tetracyclines ( doxycycline), but in approximately 10% of cases of mycoplasmosis resistance develops to them. For bacterial vaginosis, tablets are added metronidazole(Trichopol) at a dosage of 500 mg x 2, course 7 days or 2 g once. Trichopolum is not prescribed to pregnant women before the second trimester and breastfeeding women. Treatment is supplemented with creams ( clindamycin 2% x 1, at night, course 7 days) and gels ( metronidazole 0.75% x 2, course 5 days), which are inserted into the vagina.
Immunomodulators are prescribed ( echinacea, aloe, cycloferon), with concomitant viral infections - interferon, probiotics ( Linux, lactobacterin) and prebiotics (fiber). To protect the liver during antibiotic therapy, hepatoprotectors will be needed ( karsil, essentiale), to reduce the level of allergy – Claritin, suprastin. Vitamin-mineral complexes are taken as general strengthening agents.
Preventionmycoplasmosis comes down to stabilization immune system– nutritious nutrition, regular exercise, minimal stress, and a wise choice of sexual partners. For respiratory mycoplasmosis, patients are isolated for 5-7 days (for acute respiratory infections) or for 2-3 weeks (for mycoplasma pneumonia). There is no specific prevention.
Mycoplasmosis in cats and dogs
Several types of mycoplasmas have been isolated in cats and dogs, which cause diseases when the immune system is weakened: Mycoplasmafelis, Mycoplasma gatae(in cats) and Mycoplasmacynos(in dogs). Bacteria are found in completely healthy animals and in diseases associated with chlamydia and. Dogs look Mycoplasmacynos are sown from the respiratory tract, but only puppies or adult allergic dogs suffer from respiratory mycoplasmosis. Mycoplasmas quickly die outside the animal's body.
For healthy people, these pathogens are not dangerous and there are no confirmed facts of transmission of mycoplasmas from animals to humans.
Symptomsmycoplasmosis in cats and dogs- conjunctivitis with lacrimation, hyperemia of the mucous membrane of one or both eyes, discharge of pus or mucus, swelling and spasm of the eyelids. Of the respiratory forms, rhinitis prevails; with the development of urogenital infection, urethritis and cystitis, vaginitis and endometritis, as well as inflammation of the prostate gland and balanoposthitis (inflammation of the skin of the head of the penis and the inner layer of the foreskin) are diagnosed. The spread of mycoplasmas causes arthritis with the destruction of intra-articular cartilage. The formation of subcutaneous ulcers is possible.
Mycoplasmas in pregnant cats and dogs it can cause premature birth; if infected before pregnancy, congenital deformities can develop in kittens and puppies.
Diagnostics mycoplasmosis is carried out using the PCR method, the material used is sputum and swabs from the trachea (bronchial tubes), smears from the conjunctiva and genitals. Mycoplasmosis is treated with doxycycline, but it is contraindicated in puppies and kittens under 6 months of age. For conjunctivitis, ointments with chloramphenicol or tetracycline, drops with novocaine and hydrocortisone are used topically. With prolonged use of hormonal drugs, ulceration of the cornea of the eye is possible. Reserve antibiotics – erythromycin, gentamicin, photorquinolones ( ofloxacin). There is no vaccine against mycoplasmosis, the main prevention is proper nutrition and adequate physical activity of animals.
Video: mycoplasmosis in the program “Live Healthy!”
Representatives of the class Mollicutes - mycoplasmas - are the smallest currently known prokaryotes capable of self-reproduction. The name of the taxon (molli - soft, cutes - skin) reflects a characteristic feature of these microorganisms - the absence of a rigid cell wall. Unlike L-phase variants of bacteria (mutant forms with characteristic structural disturbances in the peptidoglycan framework of the cell wall), mycoplasmas do not synthesize biochemical precursors of peptidoglycan at all. The absence of a cell wall determines the instability and diversity of the outlines of their cells, instability (rapid lysis) during osmotic shock, the action of detergents, ethanol and specific antibodies in combination with complement. The absence of a cell wall is also associated with the indifference of mycoplasmas to penicillin and its analogues, the effect of which is to suppress the synthesis of bacterial cell wall components.
Many biological properties of mycoplasmas, including resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and pronounced polymorphism, are due to their lack of a cell wall.
Most species of mycoplasmas, with the exception of anaeroplasmas, are facultative anaerobes. Mycoplasmas are able to overcome immune control and, thus, do not cause tissue damage associated with the immunoreactivity of the macroorganism. However, under certain conditions, mycoplasmas can cause pathological changes in the host body, often complicated by immune disorders (Barile et al., 1991).
Mycoplasmas usually colonize mucous membranes; in many animal species they cause chronic inflammation of the respiratory and urinary tracts, genitals, and joints.
There are 14 types of mycoplasmas in the human body, but they occur with different frequencies. Mucoplasma orale and Mycoplasma salivarium are part of the normal microflora of the oral cavity. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of pneumonia in adults and children. Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis live in the urinary tract and genitals of many healthy people; These are opportunistic microorganisms that cause a number of infections in adults and newborns.
As possible pathogens of infections in humans, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma fermentans and Mycoplasma penetrans, found on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, urinary tract and genital organs, deserve attention. These bacteria have been described only recently, and what their true ecological status is is unknown. They are more demanding than other types of mycoplasmas regarding cultivation conditions.
A necessary prerequisite for colonization of the mucous membrane and the development of infection is the adhesion of mycoplasmas to the cells of the macroorganism.
Adhesion of Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a complex, multi-stage process in which a number of proteins are involved. After the bacterium attaches to the mucosa, the activity of the cilia of the ciliated epithelium is suppressed.
In Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis, adhesion factors have not been studied.
Intracellular localization protects mycoplasmas from antibodies and antibiotics, promotes the chronic course of infections and makes it difficult to grow the pathogen on artificial media.
Virulence factors for Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis are unknown.
The long survival of mycoplasmas on mucous membranes is apparently associated with the inherent high variability of surface antigens.
Mycoplasma hominis is distinguished by its ability to metabolize arginine to produce ammonia in quantities that have a cytotoxic effect. Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma hominis produce hydrogen peroxide, which may also play a role in cell damage.
Ureaplasmas, unlike other genera of the class Mollicutes, form urease. Like other prokaryotes with urease activity, Ureaplasma urealyticum causes the formation
Mycoplasmas- small prokaryotes, lacking a true cell wall and unable to synthesize its components. Functions of the cell wall in mycoplasmas performed by a three-layer CPM.
That's why mycoplasma belong to the department Tenericuies (literally “tender-skinned”) of the family Mycoplasmataceae of the class Mollicutes (literally “soft-skinned”), which unites mycoplasmas, acholeplasmas, spiroplasmas, anaeroplasmas and ureaplasmas.
Mycoplasmas distinguished by polymorphism due to the absence of a rigid cell wall. Mycoplasmas form coccoid, branching, large multinuclear forms, as well as pseudomycelium, which determines their name [from the Greek. mykes, mushroom, + plasma, something having a shape].
Mycoplasmas reproduce by binary fission, like most bacteria, especially after the formation of small coccoid formations (elementary bodies, EB) in filamentous structures.
Mycoplasmas capable of budding and segmentation. The minimum reproducing unit is considered to be the ET (0.7-0.2 µm). The main component of the cell membrane is cholesterol.
Mycoplasmas are not capable of forming cholesterol and utilize it from tissues or nutrient media supplemented with their addition. The Gram stain is negative, but the best results are obtained by Romanowsky-Giemsa stain.
Mycoplasmas are demanding regarding cultivation conditions: native serum, cholesterol, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, vitamins and various salts must be added to the nutrient media. On dense media they form characteristic small translucent colonies with a raised granular center, giving them a “fried egg” appearance.
On media with blood, some mycoplasma species give a- and beta-hemolysis. In semi-liquid media mycoplasmas grow along the injection line, forming dispersed, crumbly colonies. In liquid media they lead to slight turbidity or opalescence; some strains are capable of forming a thin oily film.
In humans, representatives of the genera are distinguished Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma and Acholeplasma, including pathogenic and saprophytic species.
Mycoplasmas are the smallest prokaryotic microorganisms found in humans, animals, plants, insects, soil and wastewater that are capable of multiplying in cell-free culture media. Many are able to pass through coarse antibacterial filters.
The first member of the group, Mycoplasma mycoides, was isolated early in the century from cattle with pleuropneumonia. Like other pathogenic and saprophytic microorganisms isolated from humans and animals, they became known as pleuropneumonia-like organisms (PPLO), a term now replaced by the term "mycoplasmas".
The order Mycoplasmatales (class Mollicutes - "soft-skinned") includes three families: Mycoplasmataceae, Acholeplasmataceae and Spiroplasmataceae; a fourth, Anaeroplasmataceae, is currently proposed.
The family Mycoplasmataceae is divided into two genera: the genus Mycoplasma, which contains approximately 90 species, and the genus Ureaplasma, which provides an independent position for urea-splitting microorganisms commonly called ureaplasmas.
They were originally known as mycoplasmas of the T group. “T” from the English. "tiny - tiny", which recalls the size of the colonies formed by these microorganisms. Many animals are infected with Ureaplasma, but the genus currently contains only five species. Ureaplasmas isolated from humans belong to the species Ureaplasma urealyticum, which includes at least 14 serovars. Bovine, feline and avian ureaplasmas differ in antigenic structure from human strains and have been classified as independent species.
Members of the family Acholeplasmataceae (commonly called Acholeplasmas) do not require sterols for growth and belong to a separate genus, Acholeplasma, containing at least 10 species.
The term "mycoplasma" is often used, as we will do, to refer to any member of the class Mollicutes, regardless of whether they belong to the genus Mycoplasma.
Mycoplasmas are widespread in nature and, in addition to human diseases, their various species cause important economically infectious diseases in cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and other mammals and birds.
They are demanding on nutrients, but have completely independent metabolic activity. They contain both deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid. Microorganisms have a delimiting membrane, but don't have dense cell wall. They are susceptible to some chemotherapeutic agents, such as tetracyclines, but resistant to others, such as penicillin, which affect cell wall synthesis.
General properties of mycoplasmas.
Cultural properties. Mycoplasmas grow on liquid and solid nutrient media enriched with yeast extract and a high whey content (20% or more). Whey provides a source of cholesterol and other lipids, which are essential nutrients for most mycoplasmas. Penicillin and other inhibitors are usually added to culture media to suppress associated bacterial flora.
Most mycoplasmas grow best in an atmosphere containing carbon dioxide and reduced oxygen concentrations. Pathogenic strains grow better at 37°C. Colonies on semi-solid agar media develop within 2-7 days. They are usually less than 0.5 mm in diameter and sometimes only 10 - 20 microns. As a rule, the center of each colony grows into the agar, and the periphery spreads over the surface, forming a colony that is characterized when examined under a microscope as a “fried egg”.
Mycoplasmas are ubiquitous and often contaminate tissue cultures.
Growth andmorphology. Reproduction of mycoplasmas occurs by binary fission. The smallest viable cells measure approximately 200 nm. They develop into irregularly shaped bodies, which eventually bud to form daughter cells. The absence of a dense cell wall explains their extreme pleomorphism.
Mycoplasmas are gram-negative, but stain poorly. They stain well according to Romanovsky-Giemsa. The smallest forms are not visible under a regular microscope. Electron microscopy reveals that individual cells are bounded by a three-layer membrane surrounding ribosomes and scattered granular or fibrillar nuclear material.
Relation to L-forms. Many properties of mycoplasmas are shared with L-forms of bacteria, but it is not completely certain that mycoplasmas are stable (non-reversible) L-forms. Regardless of their evolutionary origin, well-defined mycoplasma species form a unique and stable group, the genus Mycoplasma.
Resistance. Most strains die at a temperature of 45 - 55 ° C for 15 minutes. Mycoplasmas are very sensitive to all disinfectants, to drying, ultrasound and other physical influences, resistant to penicillin, ampicillin, methicillin, sensitive to erythromycin and other macrolides.
Classification. The various species are partially differentiated by general biological properties, but accurate identification is made by serological methods. The growth of mycoplasmas is inhibited by specific antibodies, and growth inhibition tests have proven of great value in species identification. The test is performed by plating mycoplasmas onto plate agar, noting whether zones of growth inhibition appear around paper disks soaked in a specific antiserum. The immunofluorescence reaction, in which intact colonies are treated with specific antisera, is important for rapid diagnosis.
Eleven species of the genus Mycoplasma, one of the genus Acholeplasma (A. laidlawii) and one species of the genus Ureaplasma have been isolated from humans, mainly from the oropharynx. Only three of them definitely cause disease, namely M. pneumoniae, M. hominis and U. urealyticum.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
M. pneumoniae differs from other species by serological methods, as well as by characteristics such as β-hemolysis of sheep red blood cells, aerobic reduction of tetrazolium, and the ability to grow in the presence of methylene blue.
Mycoplasma pneumonia.
M. pneumoniae is the most common cause of nonbacterial pneumonia. Infection with this mycoplasma may also take the form of bronchitis or mild respiratory fever.
Asymptomatic infections are common. Familial outbreaks are common, and large outbreaks have occurred in military training centers. The incubation period is approximately two weeks.
M. pneumoniae can be isolated by culture of sputum and throat swabs, but the diagnosis is more easily made by serological methods, usually the complement fixation test. The diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumonia is helped by the empirical finding that many patients develop cold agglutinins to human red blood cells of group 0.
Other mycoplasmas pathogenic for humans.
Mycoplasmas are normally inhabitants of the reproductive tract of men and women. The most commonly encountered species is M. hominis, which is responsible for some cases of vaginal discharge, urethritis, salpingitis and pelvic sepsis. It is the most common cause of postpartum sepsis.
The microorganism can enter the mother's blood during childbirth and be localized in the joints. A group of mycoplasmas (ureaplasmas) that form tiny colonies are considered a possible cause of nongonococcal urethritis in both sexes. Other species are normal commensals of the oral cavity and nasopharynx.
Prevention. It comes down to maintaining a high level of general resistance of the human body. A vaccine made from killed mycoplasmas for the specific prevention of atypical pneumonia has been obtained in the USA
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Unfortunately, not all people are aware of the consequences of mycoplasma. This infection, meanwhile, is considered quite dangerous if you do not pay due attention to it.
Mycoplasmosis is an infectious disease. It mainly spreads from person to person through sexual intercourse. It is believed that from 10% to 50% of all people on earth are carriers of this bacterium. In 50% of people who suffer from other diseases, mycoplasmosis is also detected.
Consequences of mycoplasma hominis or other types of this microorganism are very dangerous. The situation is further aggravated by the fact that patients often do not know what symptoms the disease manifests. They also don’t go to the doctor on time. As a result, you may encounter more problems in the future.
How dangerous is mycoplasma for humans, and does it always cause complications only in the genitourinary system? Are there complications of infection in children and how to identify them in a timely manner? Patients ask their doctors.
- Complications of mycoplasmosis
Why is mycoplasma dangerous for women?
Mycoplasma is a microorganism that, as doctors note, occupies an intermediate position between classical bacteria, viruses and fungi. Today it is perhaps the smallest microorganism in the world.
As doctors involved in identifying and treating mycoplasmosis note, the pathogen can be detected in a woman’s body in most cases. According to the most conservative estimates, about 80% of women are infected with the urealiticum species. At least 50% will have Hominis species in their vaginal secretions.
However, not all representatives of the fair sex have any complaints about their health. This is explained by the fact that mycoplasma is a conditionally pathogenic microorganism. It can coexist with the host organism in relative peace without causing harm to it. Also, show yourself in the worst light, making yourself felt with a number of unpleasant symptoms. Usually, in order for a woman to develop diseases, exposure to some provoking factor is necessary. For example, prolonged exposure to the cold or poor nutrition.
There are a huge number of types of mycoplasma, but only 6 of them pose a threat to human life. The most dangerous subspecies are hominis and genitalium. They are characterized by the appearance of specific symptoms, such as:
- complaints of a burning sensation when trying to empty the bladder;
- the appearance of uncharacteristic discharge, which is usually characterized as transparent and light;
- the appearance of itching in the genital area;
- a feeling of pain localized in the lower abdomen;
- episodes of bleeding between menstruation, etc.
Naturally, most women, when such symptoms appear, will consult a doctor for help, and rightly so.
Female infertility is a consequence of mycoplasma
As doctors note, one of the biggest problems is the relationship between mycoplasmosis and infertility. Previously, there was no clear evidence that any connection existed. However, things are different now.
Recent studies have shown that mycoplasmosis and female infertility have a direct relationship. As doctors say, it’s all about the inflammatory processes that are provoked by this microorganism in female body. It is inflammation that negatively affects the development of the fetus. May lead to miscarriage or premature birth.
If the inflammatory process in the reproductive system is very pronounced, pregnancy may not occur at all, which must be remembered.
Pregnancy often does not occur due to adnexitis or endometritis caused by mycoplasmosis.
With endometritis, an egg fertilized by a sperm is simply unable to attach to the inflamed tissue. And if consolidation has occurred, then it may not be strong enough for further development processes to occur correctly. If the whole point is adnexitis, then the lumen of the fallopian tube is often blocked. As a result, even with normal ovulation and intact endometrium, the sperm simply cannot reach the egg. Naturally, in this case the likelihood of pregnancy is reduced to almost zero.
Other consequences of mycoplasma
Mycoplasmosis is dangerous for women’s health not only due to infertility. Exists large number various inflammatory pathologies. They can develop if the infection gets out of control. Among them:
- Vaginitis
Damage to the vaginal mucosa is, according to doctors, the most common. In this case, the patient complains of the appearance of atypical scanty or abundant. For pain when trying to have sexual intercourse, problems with urination, itching and swelling of the genitals. All these symptoms are nonspecific, and therefore diagnosis can be difficult.
- Endometritis
Inflammation of the endometrium - the inner layer of the uterus - is another common problem, which is often a consequence of advanced vaginitis. It is characterized by an acute onset with a sharp rise in temperature and severe pain in the lower abdomen.
- Cervicitis
Involvement of the uterine cervix in the inflammatory process is often asymptomatic. But the doctor can detect changes during a visual examination on the gynecological chair if the process is severely advanced.
- Adnexit
Inflammation due to mycoplasma of the uterine appendages also does not have specific symptoms. Most often, a woman complains of pain in the area of projection of the appendages.
- Salpingitis
With salpingitis, the infection enters the lumen of the fallopian tube, where it begins to actively multiply. Women complain of severe pain, chills, and fever. In some cases, pyo- or hydrosalpinx develops. Both of these conditions are considered dangerous not only to health, but also to life, and therefore require hospitalization.
- Oophoritis
The inflammatory process in the ovaries does not have specific symptoms. Most often, in addition to pain and increased body temperature, a woman pays attention to various disruptions in the menstrual cycle.
Consequences of mycoplasma for men
It is a mistake to believe that mycoplasmosis is dangerous only for the fair sex. The disease can also lead to serious complications for men. Although it is believed that they are mainly carriers of the disease, they do not suffer from it.
The consequences of mycoplasma in men are as dangerous as in women. And the disease can develop if there are predisposing factors for this.
As is the case with women, there are no specific symptoms of mycoplasmosis. In most cases, men either do not complain at all, or consult a doctor with the following symptoms:
Not all representatives of the stronger sex consult a doctor when such symptoms appear. Because of this, complications of the disease develop.
It is important to remember that about 15% of men are carriers of the pathogen. In this regard, if the partner often suffers from thrush, which cannot be dealt with in any way, it is recommended that the man also undergo examination with joint treatment. Naturally, if he values his woman’s health.
Impotence is a consequence of mycoplasma
Most representatives of the stronger sex are well aware that long-term inflammatory processes in the genital area threaten impotence. But for some reason they are sincerely confident that this problem will never affect them.
However, thinking this way is a big mistake. Doctors have long proven that mycoplasma has significant effects on potency.
The patient should promptly consult a doctor with complaints about the inflammatory process caused by this pathogenic microorganism. Otherwise, over time, he will experience sexual impotence, and there is nothing surprising in this.
The mechanism for the development of impotence against the background of mycoplasmosis is very simple. The fact is that long-term inflammatory processes in the same area gradually lead to the death of nerve endings in it. As a result, the patient first notices a slight decrease in sensitivity, a deterioration in sensations during sexual intercourse and orgasms. Over time, the nerve endings will die under the influence of inflammatory processes, and sensitivity will completely disappear. A man will no longer be able to enjoy sex. This is how impotence develops, slowly, step by step, if mycoplasmosis is ignored for a long time.
Infertility in men as a consequence of mycoplasma
Infertility is another common consequence of mycoplasmosis.
A man may not lose his virility, but still become infertile. Quite a large number of couples spend a long time looking for a reason why they cannot have a child. The reason lies on the surface, but remains hidden until the man undergoes the necessary examinations. In the development of infertility, as in the case of impotence, the inflammatory process primarily plays a role. A man may be left without the opportunity to conceive a child due to:
The most important, as doctors note, are the consequences of prostatitis with mycoplasmosis and orchitis. It is these pathologies that most often lead to the fact that a man is no longer able to conceive a child. This is explained by the fact that these organs play an important role in the formation of sperm and ensuring its vitality.
Consequences of mycoplasma for pregnant women
Many doctors still argue about the consequences of mycoplasma during pregnancy. On the one hand, there is a fairly large number of women who have this pathogenic microorganism. They successfully carried out the pregnancy and gave birth to a healthy child.
On the other hand, there are many of the fair sex for whom mycoplasmosis has complicated the course of pregnancy. In this regard, doctors recommend that before planning to conceive a baby, undergo tests and, if necessary, undergo treatment.
Pathology increases the risk of developing:
- frozen pregnancy, in which, due to the inflammatory process in the uterine cavity, the embryo stops developing, but is not rejected by the woman’s body;
- spontaneous abortions, in which an embryo that died in the womb is expelled from a woman’s body;
- polyhydramnios – a pathology in which there is too much water, which negatively affects the child’s body;
- premature birth, which is associated with weakening and premature rupture of the membranes due to the negative impact of the infectious process.
The effects of mycoplasma on the immune system also do not contribute to the normal course of pregnancy. A woman’s body is already weakened by bearing a child. And here he also has to fight a pathogenic microorganism.
Consequences of mycoplasmosis in children
Children quite often become infected with mycoplasma from their sick mothers. This happens while the baby is passing through the birth canal, and not while he is in the mother’s womb. Although, as doctors note, in rare cases, intrauterine infection is also possible, which is considered even more dangerous. Intrauterine infection leads to disruption of all development processes of a small organism. As a result, in the best case, the baby will be born with a severely weakened immune system and will often get sick. In the worst case, if infection occurs in the early stages, various deformities may occur.
Consequences of mycoplasma for a child in case of infection during childbirth, they are primarily expressed in damage to the bronchi, larynx, lungs, and nasal sinuses. As a result, bronchitis, laryngitis, pneumonia and other respiratory problems develop in newborns. In some cases, in children the conjunctiva of the eyes is also involved in the pathological process.
If the child is a girl, damage to the genital organs is possible, which may affect reproductive function in the future. Newborns are especially susceptible to mycoplasmosis. In them, this infection often leads not only to pneumonia, but also to damage to the kidneys and brain. As a result, the child may remain disabled for life. Since there is no vaccination against mycoplasmosis, only timely and complete treatment can help a child.
Complications of mycoplasmosis
Mycoplasmosis is known for its consequences on the genitourinary system. The microorganism can negatively affect not only a person’s reproductive health, but also his urinary system. This happens due to the fact that the reproductive and urinary organs are located in close proximity to each other. As a result, a person may develop:
- cystitis;
- pyelonephritis.
The consequence of cystitis due to mycoplasmosis is often the migration of infection higher to the kidneys. As a result, the patient may suffer from two complications of one disease at once if proper attention is not given to its treatment in a timely manner. If the patient’s immunity is weakened, the infection may penetrate into the blood, and with it into the joint area. As a result, complaints of joint pain appear.
The joints wear out faster, and the patient suffers from problems with the musculoskeletal system. Also in adult patients, as in small children, the eyes and lungs may be affected. When the eyes are damaged, conjunctivitis develops, and when the lungs are damaged, pneumonia and bronchiectasis are possible. In exceptional cases, encephalitis is diagnosed. If the bacteria manages to cross the blood-brain barrier and end up in the brain. Encephalitis is considered a life-threatening condition and is often a consequence of mycoplasma in HIV.
Mycoplasma is an opportunistic microorganism that poses a much greater danger than is commonly believed. To avoid complications of mycoplasmosis, patients are advised to consult a doctor promptly!
If you suspect mycoplasma, contact competent venereologists.
