Cell Wall/Treatment
This species lacks a peptidoglycan cell wall, like all Mollicutes. Instead, it has a cell membrane that incorporates sterol compounds, similar to eukaryotic cells. It obtains these sterols from the host serum, allowing it to retain a simple structure. Lacking a cell wall, these organisms are resistant to the effects of penicillins and other beta-lactam antibiotics, which act by disrupting the bacterial cell wall. Antibiotics with activity against these organisms include certain macrolides (erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin), fluoroquinolones and their derivatives (e.g., ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin), and tetracyclines (e.g., doxycycline).
Read more about this topic: Mycoplasma Pneumoniae
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