Mykoplasmaversioner

Mykoplasmaversioner is a term used to describe the different strains or variants within the genus Mycoplasma, or within a single Mycoplasma species. Mycoplasmas are small bacteria characterized by a reduced genome and the absence of a cell wall. Because their genomes are compact and many surface layers are variable, they commonly exist as distinct variants that differ in genetic makeup, antigenic properties, host range, tissue tropism, and sometimes virulence and antibiotic susceptibility.

Variation arises mainly through mutation and, in some species, limited recombination. The resulting mykoplasmaversioner may escape immune detection, alter adherence to host cells, or respond differently to antibiotics. This makes typing and surveillance important for epidemiology and treatment planning.

Identification and typing rely on genetic and phenotypic methods. Culture and biochemical tests are often slow for many species, so molecular typing is common. Methods include sequencing of housekeeping genes (multilocus sequence typing, MLST), whole-genome sequencing, serotyping, and gene-specific typing (such as P1 adhesin typing in Mycoplasma pneumoniae). Antibiotic resistance can be variant-dependent; in M. genitalium, mutations in the 23S rRNA gene confer macrolide resistance, while tetracycline resistance can arise in other species.

Clinically, recognizing mykoplasmaversioner supports outbreak tracing, informs antibiotic choice, and highlights vaccine challenges, since surface antigen variation can reduce cross-protection between variants. In humans and animals, multiple species exhibit significant variant diversity, making ongoing surveillance and molecular characterization essential.