(mī‵kō-plaz'mă )

[myco- + plasma]

A group of bacteria that lack cell walls and are highly pleomorphic. There are more than 70 organisms in this group, including 12 species that infect humans. Tetracyclines or erythromycins are effective for treatment of M. pneumoniae and M. hominis infections. Other treatment choices include some cephalosporins or fluoroquinolones.

M. amphoriforme A species of Mycoplasma that infects the lower respiratory tract, esp. in patients with immune deficiencies.

M. genitalium A species of Mycoplasma that can cause nongonococcal urethritis. It is the smallest free-living organism known.

M. hominis A species of Mycoplasma that can cause genital tract infections (nongonococcal urethritis).

M. pneumoniae A species of Mycoplasma that can cause infections of the upper respiratory tract and the lungs (mycoplasma pneumonia).