Host-pathogen interactions in mycoplasma pathogenesis: Virulence and survival strategies of minimalist prokaryotes

Despite their very small genomes mycoplasmas are successful pathogens of ma n and a wide range of animal hosts. Because of the lack of effective therap eutics and vaccines, mycoplasma diseases continue to be a significant probl em for public health as well as livestock production with major socio-econo mic consequences worldwide. Recent outbreaks and epidemiological studies pr edict that the incidence of human and animal mycoplasma diseases might incr ease which indicates the urgent need to develop new approaches for preventi on and therapy. Development of such reagents, however, requires a solid und erstanding of the molecular biology of mycoplasma infections. Knowledge in this field has considerably increased during the past decade since new tech niques have been developed and adapted to mycoplasmas that allow these orga nisms to be studied at the molecular level. Research on the two human patho gens Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma genitalium of which the genome se quences have recently been completed as well as the substantial number of s tudies carried out on the AIDS-associated mycoplasmas, Mycoplasma penetrans and Mycoplasma fermentans, has led the way, but a number of animal mycopla smas are becoming increasingly appreciated as models for the study of: the molecular basis of mycoplasma diseases. This review summarizes and highligh ts some of the recent findings concerning the molecular interactions that o ccur between pathogenic mycoplasmas and their hosts, both the common strate gies as well as some unique approaches evolved by particular mycoplasma pat hogens, including adherence to and uptake into non-phagocytic host cells, a s well as mechanisms of escaping the host immune system.