What are Mycoplasma and How Do They Work?

Mycoplasma is the name given to a unique group of microorganisms that fall in the category between the bacteria and viruses. In fact, it is still debated whether the larger and more complicated bacteria evolved from the prehistoric mycoplasma (the smallest free-living organism) or whether they evolved from the viruses. The primary differences are that bacteria have a solid cell-wall structure (that is sensitive to penicillin) and they can be relatively easily grown in culture media. Mycoplasmas, on the other hand, do not have a cell wall and like the tiniest jellyfish with a pliable membrane, can take on many different shapes, making them difficult to identify even under a high powered electron microscope.

Their accepted name was chosen because some strains were observed to have a mycelated fungi-like structure (as Mycology, the study of fungi) with a flowering plasma like structure, hence mycoplasma. The first strains were isolated in 1898 at the Pasteur Institute and for 60 years they were called pleuro-pneumonia-like organisms (PPLOs) having been isolated from cattle with arthritis and pleuro-pneumonia. The first human strain was isolated in 1932 from an abscess in a female patient. The first reported isolation of a mycoplasma from a rheumatoid patient was made in 1939 by Drs. Swift and Brown. Newer techniques have been able to identify many different strains that are essentially species specific; avian (chicken and turkeys), rodents (mice and rats), feline, canine, porcine, goats, sheep, elephants, etc. In particular, the non human primates (great apes) were found to be infected with the human mycoplasma strains, which made the arthritic gorillas the ideal animal model for the study of humans. Of particular support for the cause of rheumatoid arthritis are the many reports of mycoplasmas causing arthritis in most of all domestic animals, including the experimental laboratory mice and rat models. When tetracycline antibiotics became available in 1947, they, and not pencillins, were found to inhibit mycoplasma growth and also control animal arthritis.

Mycoplasmas, unlike viruses, can grow in tissue fluids (blood, joint, heart, chest, and spinal fluids) and can grow in living tissue cell structures without killing the cells- as some viruses and bacteria do. Mycoplasmas are frequently isolated from the oral or genito-urinary tracts of normal population and are found to infect females four times more often than males, which just happens to be the same incident rate in rheumatoid arthritis and other related disorders. Mycoplasmas can attach to specific cells without killing the cells and thus their infection process can go undetected. No symptoms suggests no disease. In some people the attachment of mycoplasmas to the susceptible cell membranes acts like a living thorn, a persistent foreign substance, causing the host's immune defense mechanism to wage war. This allergic type of inflammation often results in heated, swollen, and painful inflamed tissues. In such cases the mycoplasma may not be isolated from the inflamed tissues but is detected by the host's serum antibody level. A positive response would indicate that mycoplasma has infected the host. A positive mycoplasma test would indicate further tetracycline or anti-mycoplasma treatment.

Mycoplasma growth is also suppressed by gold salts, some antimalarial drugs and even bee venom - all are which are more toxic and less effective than tetracyclines.

Unfortunately, mycoplasmas never became part of medical school curriculum or textbooks until the late 50s and were considered as some oddity until one strain (mycoplasma pneumoniae) was identified as the cause of atypical pneumonia. This strain of mycoplasma as well as others have been suggested as a contributing factor for rheumatic disease. These diseases may be considered to be the results of immune complex (mycoplasma + antibody) and also the self destructive autoimmune reaction (mycoplasma + host protein ). Recent studies are now supporting the role and mechanism of mycoplasmas as both immune complex and as an autoantigen. If this proves to be the case,  we may soon see mycoplasma associated with many other immunological disorders besides rheumatoid, i.e. diabetes, multiple sclerosis, etc.

Mycoplasma Complement Fixation Test

This test, mycoplasma complement fixation or MCF, identifies antibodies to a specific mycoplasma and are reported as a titer to the specific mycoplasma (s) resident in the patient. This is more specific than the m. pneumoniae kit.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Test

This test identifies the mycoplasma strain by its DNA or genetic makeup. Results are + or -.

For Dr. Thomas McPherson Browns view of mycoplasma, read The New Arthritis Breakthrough, by Henry Scammell published by M. Evans, New York

-Portions of the above were excerpted from an article by Harold W. Clark-

How are the results interpreted?

With the MCF, low titers are significant. Sometimes disease activity is not sufficient to produce a measurable level of antibody to mycoplasma. In this case, when antibiotics are administered, the subsequent attack on the organism generates a higher level of antibodies which than can be measured. An early test which was negative may become positive after a period of antibiotic treatment

PCR testing is by individual strain and is either positive or negative. It is very sensitive.

Where can I have mycoplasma test done?

Mycoplasma testing is very specialized; not every lab does this testing or does it well. Ask other patients on the Road Back Foundation Bulletin Board for resources which will help you to find the appropriate testing.

The Road Back Foundation does not engage in the practice of medicine. Consult with a physician to assess any medical treatment that is being considered. The Road Back Foundation encourages healthcare consumers to thoroughly investigate and understand all treatments and medications before proceeding. This material is for educational purposes only

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