Antimycoplasmal Agents

Abstract

This chapter briefly reviews the methods used for antibiotic susceptibility testing of human mycoplasmas, the antimicrobials available for the treatment of mycoplasmal infections, the innate resistance of these microorganisms, and the development of acquired resistance. Guidelines for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of animal mycoplasma species are not considered here, but have been recently reviewed (41). Mycoplasma infections concern mainly the urogenital and respiratory tracts. Furthermore, mycoplasmas can cause systemic infections in neonates and immunocompromized patients. In this chapter, Ureaplasma urealyticum will be referred to as Ureaplasma spp. Indeed, recently several authors presented evidence that the species U. urealyticum should be separated into two new species, namely, U. parvum (previously U. urealyticum biovar 1) and U. urealyticum (previously U. urealyticum biovar 2), (for details see the chapters "Mycoplasmas of humans" and "Taxonomy of Mollicutes").