Abstract
Several Mycoplasma species are important causative agents of various infections of mucosal surfaces in humans, especially in the urogenital or respiratory tracts. Pathogenetic mechanisms of mycoplasmas are intensively studied.
The "gold" standard of mycoplasma detection in cultivation, which is very difficult and time-consuming. The other options for identifying mycoplasmas include direct antigen detection or molecular-biology methods, such as polymerase chain reaction, DNA-hybridization and sequencing.
Mycoplasmas are naturally resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics because of lack of cell wall. Tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones are regarded as the first choice in the treatment of mycoplasma infections.
Several reports have documented resistance of mycoplasmas to macrolides worldwide. This report summarizes our current knowledge of laboratory diagnosis and treatment of mycoplasma infections.