Characterization of Virulence-Associated Traits in Mycoplasma penetrans Strains Acting as Likely Etiological Agents of Idiopathic Nongonococcal Urethritis. (2nd January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schwab, Nathan R; Young, Natalie E; Nzenwata, Davidson U; Toh, Evelyn; Mikulin, Joseph A; Wilson, Timothy J; Nelson, David E; Balish, Mitchell F
• Is Part Of: Journal of infectious diseases. Volume 227:Number 9(2023)
• Page Start: 1050
• Page End: 1058
• Publication Date: 2023-01-02
• Subjects: idiopathic urethritis -- Mycoplasma penetrans -- nongonococcal urethritis; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Diseases -- Causes and theories of causation -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac505
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1899

Abstract

Abstract: Mycoplasma penetrans is an emerging pathogen with a reduced genome. This bacterium has only previously been cultured from individuals with chronic immunodeficiencies. Here we report the characteristics of 4 M. penetrans isolates from the urine of immunocompetent males with nongonococcal urethritis, in comparison with strain HF-2 from an immunocompromised patient. Several features exhibited distinct differences between these isolates and HF-2. Unlike HF-2, all 4 were resistant to azithromycin. They exhibited greater sialic acid-dependent binding to erythrocytes, gliding motility speed, and H2 O2 production than HF-2. All new isolates produced thinner capsules than HF-2. Invasiveness varied, with some isolates being more invasive than HF-2 and some less invasive. Cytotoxicity to HeLa cells was similar to HF-2, and all strains could clear extracellular traps produced by innate immune cells. We conclude that subtle differences among M. penetrans strains may be critical for this organism to establish an infection in an otherwise healthy individual. Abstract : Four isolates of the bacterium Mycoplasma penetrans from immunocompetent male patients with nongonococcal urethritis exhibited phenotypic differences from a strain isolated from immunocompromised patients, including antibiotic resistance, adherence, invasiveness, motility, capsule thickness, and hydrogen peroxide production.