Prevalence of Urogenital Mycoplasma genitalium Infection at 2 US Army Medical Facilities.

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have a high incidence in the US Armed Forces and can adversely impact service members' ability to perform their duties. Better knowledge of Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) epidemiology in the military is needed to understand the potential impact of this emerging pathogen on force readiness. METHODS: We conducted cross-sectional analyses of data from US Army service members and other Military Health System beneficiaries participating in a trial of an STI/HIV behavioral intervention at Fort Liberty, NC, and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. At enrollment, participants completed questionnaires and provided biological specimens for nucleic acid amplification testing for MG, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG). We used principal component analysis and robust Poisson regression to examine associations between participant characteristics and prevalent urogenital MG. RESULTS: Among 432 participants enrolled between November 2020 and February 2023, 43 had MG (prevalence, 10.0%), of whom 13 had coinfection with another bacterial STI (all 13 were positive for CT, with 1 also positive for NG). The prevalence of MG was significantly higher among female (13.5%) versus male (7.6%; P = 0.048) participants and non-Hispanic Black (14.9%) versus non-Hispanic White participants (6.6%; P = 0.045). Single relationship status and increased number of recent sexual partners were correlated, and their component was associated with higher MG prevalence (adjusted prevalence ratio, 2.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-3.48). CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of urogenital MG among Military Health System beneficiaries highlights the importance of understanding the potential clinical sequelae of MG and conducting additional epidemiologic research in military settings.

Varying conjunctival immune response adaptations of house finch populations to a rapidly evolving bacterial pathogen.

Pathogen adaptations during host-pathogen co-evolution can cause the host balance between immunity and immunopathology to rapidly shift. However, little is known in natural disease systems about the immunological pathways optimised through the trade-off between immunity and self-damage. The evolutionary interaction between the conjunctival bacterial infection Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and its avian host, the house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus), can provide insights into such adaptations in immune regulation. Here we use experimental infections to reveal immune variation in conjunctival tissue for house finches captured from four distinct populations differing in the length of their co-evolutionary histories with MG and their disease tolerance (defined as disease severity per pathogen load) in controlled infection studies. To differentiate contributions of host versus pathogen evolution, we compared house finch responses to one of two MG isolates: the original VA1994 isolate and a more evolutionarily derived one, VA2013. To identify differential gene expression involved in initiation of the immune response to MG, we performed 3'-end transcriptomic sequencing (QuantSeq) of samples from the infection site, conjunctiva, collected 3-days post-infection. In response to MG, we observed an increase in general pro-inflammatory signalling, as well as T-cell activation and IL17 pathway differentiation, associated with a decrease in the IL12/IL23 pathway signalling. The immune response was stronger in response to the evolutionarily derived MG isolate compared to the original one, consistent with known increases in MG virulence over time. The host populations differed namely in pre-activation immune gene expression, suggesting population-specific adaptations. Compared to other populations, finches from Virginia, which have the longest co-evolutionary history with MG, showed significantly higher expression of anti-inflammatory genes and Th1 mediators. This may explain the evolution of disease tolerance to MG infection in VA birds. We also show a potential modulating role of BCL10, a positive B- and T-cell regulator activating the NFKB signalling. Our results illuminate potential mechanisms of house finch adaptation to MG-induced immunopathology, contributing to understanding of the host evolutionary responses to pathogen-driven shifts in immunity-immunopathology trade-offs.

Mycoplasma invasion into host cells: An integrated model of infection strategy.

Mycoplasma belong to the genus Mollicutes and are notable for their small genome sizes (500-1300 kb) and limited biosynthetic capabilities. They exhibit pathogenicity by invading various cell types to survive as intracellular pathogens. Adhesion is a crucial prerequisite for successful invasion and is orchestrated by the interplay between mycoplasma surface adhesins and specific receptors on the host cell membrane. Invasion relies heavily on clathrin- and caveolae-mediated internalization, accompanied by multiple activated kinases, cytoskeletal rearrangement, and a myriad of morphological alterations, such as membrane invagination, nuclear hypertrophy and aggregation, cytoplasmic edema, and vacuolization. Once mycoplasma successfully invade host cells, they establish resilient sanctuaries in vesicles, cytoplasm, perinuclear regions, and the nucleus, wherein specific environmental conditions favor long-term survival. Although lysosomal degradation and autophagy can eliminate most invading mycoplasmas, some viable bacteria can be released into the extracellular environment via exocytosis, a crucial factor in the prolonging infection persistence. This review explores the intricate mechanisms by which mycoplasma invades host cells and perpetuates their elusive survival, with the aim of highlighting the challenge of eradicating this enigmatic bacterium.

Hemotropic Mycoplasmas (Hemoplasmas) in Free-Ranging Azara's Agoutis (Dasyprocta azarae) from an Urban Area of Southern Brazil.

Hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) are opportunistic bacteria that attach to the erythrocyte surface, causing infectious anemia in several mammalian species, including rodents. Studies surveying native Azara's agoutis (Dasyprocta azarae) in Brazil are lacking. Accordingly, the present study aimed to assess hemoplasmas infection in free-ranging agoutis from an urban environmental conservation area in Curitiba, southern Brazil. Overall, 11/35 (31.43%) agoutis were positive to hemoplasmas by quantitative PCR (cycle threshold≤34.4). Sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene indicated Mycoplasma haemomuris infection, closely related to M. haemomuris subsp. ratti, suggesting hemoplasma transmission from urban rats to agoutis. Because the main route of M. haemomuris transmission has been direct rodent-to-rodent infection, the relatively lower positivity that we detected may be the result of low intraspecies contact due to the smaller social units of agoutis, generally consisting of two to four individuals, and low interspecies contact due to only sporadic agouti-rat interactions in urban settings, compared with other rodent species interactions. Further studies should be conducted to determine whether the hemoplasma infection that we found can cause clinical onset and life-threatening anemia in agoutis.

Genomic characterization of Mycoplasma edwardii isolated from a dog bite induced cat wound reveals multiple horizontal gene transfer events and loss of the CRISPR/Cas system.

A domestic short hair cat (Felis catus) suffering from a purulent wound infection resulting from a dog bite was sampled for bacterial culture and isolation as the wound had been unresponsive to prolonged antimicrobial treatment. A mycoplasma was isolated from the wound. Whole genome sequencing of the isolate was performed using short-read Illumina and long-read Oxford Nanopore chemistry, and the organism was identified as Mycoplasma edwardii. Comparison of the genome sequence of the isolate to a reference M. edwardii genome sequence (canid isolate) identified the loss of several key bacterial factors involved in genome editing, as well the insertion of several novel ORFs most closely related to those found in other canine mycoplasmas, specifically Mycoplasma canis, M. cynos, M. molare and M. maculosa. This is only the second known report of disease caused by M. edwardii in a non-canid species, and the first report of it infecting and causing clinical disease in a cat.

Molecular survey of hemoplasmas and Coxiella burnetii in vampire bats from northern Brazil.

In addition to zoonotic viral pathogens, bats can also harbor bacterial pathogens, including hemoplasmas (hemotropic mycoplasmas) and Coxiella burnetii. The present study aimed to investigate, using molecular techniques, the presence of hemoplasmas and C. burnetii in spleen samples from vampire bats in northern Brazil. For this purpose, between 2017 and 2019, spleen samples were collected from Desmodus rotundus (n = 228) and Diaemus youngii (n = 1) captured in the states of Pará (n = 207), Amazonas (n = 1), Roraima (n = 18) and Amapá (n = 3). DNA samples extracted from the bat spleen and positive in PCR for the endogenous gapdh gene were subjected to conventional PCR assays for the 16S rRNA, 23S rRNA and RNAse P genes from hemoplasmas and to qPCR based on the IS1111 gene element for C. burnetii. All spleen samples from vampire bats were negative in the qPCR for C. burnetii. Hemoplasmas were detected in 10 % (23/229) of spleen samples using a PCR based on the 16S rRNA gene. Of these, 21.73 % (5/23) were positive for the 23S rRNA gene and none for the RNAseP gene. The seven hemoplasma 16S rRNA sequences obtained were closely related to sequences previously identified in vampire bats from Belize, Peru and Brazil. The 23S rRNA sequence obtained revealed genetic proximity to hemoplasmas from non-hematophagous bats from Brazil and Belize. The analysis revealed different circulating genotypes among Brazilian vampire bats, in addition to a trend towards genera-specific hemoplasma genotypes. The present study contributes to the knowledge of the wide diversity of hemoplasmas in vampire bats.

Dynamics of antibody response and bacterial shedding of Mycoplasma hyorhinis and M. hyosynoviae in oral fluids from experimentally inoculated pigs.

Mycoplasma hyorhinis (Mhr) and M. hyosynoviae (Mhs) are commensal organisms of the upper respiratory tract and tonsils but may also cause arthritis in pigs. In this study, 8-week-old cesarean-derived colostrum-deprived (CDCD) pigs (n = 30; 3 groups, 10 pigs per group, 2 pigs per pen) were inoculated with Mhr, Mhs, or mock-inoculated with culture medium and then pen-based oral fluids were collected at different time points over the 56 days of the experimental study. Oral fluids tested by Mhr and Mhs quantitative real-time PCRs revealed Mhr DNA between day post inoculation (DPI) 5-52 and Mhs DNA between DPI 5-15. Oral fluids were likewise tested for antibody using isotype-specific (IgG, IgA, IgM) indirect ELISAs based on a recombinant chimeric polypeptide of variable lipoproteins (A-G) for Mhr and Tween 20-extracted surface proteins for Mhs. Mhr IgA was detected at DPI 7 and, relative to the control group, significant (p < 0.05) antibody responses were detected in the Mhr group between DPI 12-15 for IgM and DPI 36-56 for both IgA and IgG. In the Mhs group, IgM was detected at DPI 10 and significant (p < 0.05) IgG and IgA responses were detected at DPI 32-56 and DPI 44-56, respectively. This study demonstrated that oral fluid could serve as an effective and convenient antemortem sample for monitoring Mhr and Mhs in swine populations.

Intratumor Mycoplasma promotes the initiation and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.

The carcinogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are closely related to viral infection and intestinal bacteria. However, little is known about bacteria within the HCC tumor microenvironment. Here, we showed that intratumoral Mycoplasma hyorhinis (M. hyorhinis) promoted the initiation and progression of HCC by enhancing nuclear ploidy. We quantified M. hyorhinis in clinical tissue specimens of HCC and observed that patients with high M. hyorhinis load had poor prognosis. We found that gastrointestinal M. hyorhinis can retrogradely infect the liver through the oral-duodenal-hepatopancreatic ampulla route. We further found that the increases in mononuclear polyploidy and cancer stemness resulted from mitochondrial fission caused by intracellular M. hyorhinis. Mechanistically, M. hyorhinis infection promoted the decay of mitochondrial fusion protein (MFN) 1 mRNA in an m6A-dependent manner. Our findings indicated that M. hyorhinis infection promoted pathological polyploidization and suggested that Mycoplasma clearance with antibiotics or regulating mitochondrial dynamics might have the potential for HCC therapy.

Molecular Detection and Characterization of Mycoplasma spp. in Marine Mammals, Brazil.

Mycoplasma spp. are wall-less bacteria able to infect mammals and are classified as hemotropic (hemoplasma) and nonhemotropic. In aquatic mammals, hemoplasma have been reported in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and river dolphins (Inia spp.). We investigated Mycoplasma spp. in blood samples of West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus), pinnipeds (5 species), and marine cetaceans (18 species) that stranded or were undergoing rehabilitation in Brazil during 2002-2022. We detected Mycoplasma in blood of 18/130 (14.8%) cetaceans and 3/18 (16.6%) pinnipeds. All tested manatees were PCR-negative for Mycoplasma. Our findings indicate that >2 different hemoplasma species are circulating in cetaceans. The sequences from pinnipeds were similar to previously described sequences. We also detected a nonhemotropic Mycoplasma in 2 Franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) that might be associated with microscopic lesions. Because certain hemoplasmas can cause disease and death in immunosuppressed mammals, the bacteria could have conservation implications for already endangered aquatic mammals.

LppA is a novel plasminogen receptor of Mycoplasma bovis that contributes to adhesion by binding the host extracellular matrix and Annexin A2.

Mycoplasma bovis is responsible for various inflammatory diseases in cattle. The prevention and control of M. bovis are complicated by the absence of effective vaccines and the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains, resulting in substantial economic losses worldwide in the cattle industry. Lipoproteins, vital components of the Mycoplasmas cell membrane, are deemed potent antigens for eliciting immune responses in the host upon infection. However, the functions of lipoproteins in M. bovis remain underexplored due to their low sequence similarity with those of other bacteria and the scarcity of genetic manipulation tools for M. bovis. In this study, the lipoprotein LppA was identified in all examined M. bovis strains. Utilizing immunoelectron microscopy and Western blotting, it was observed that LppA localizes to the surface membrane. Recombinant LppA demonstrated dose-dependent adherence to the membrane of embryonic bovine lung (EBL) cells, and this adhesion was inhibited by anti-LppA serum. In vitro binding assays confirmed LppA's ability to associate with fibronectin, collagen IV, laminin, vitronectin, plasminogen, and tPA, thereby facilitating the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin. Moreover, LppA was found to bind and enhance the accumulation of Annexin A2 (ANXA2) on the cell membrane. Disrupting LppA in M. bovis significantly diminished the bacterium's capacity to adhere to EBL cells, underscoring LppA's function as a bacterial adhesin. In conclusion, LppA emerges as a novel adhesion protein that interacts with multiple host extracellular matrix proteins and ANXA2, playing a crucial role in M. bovis's adherence to host cells and dissemination. These insights substantially deepen our comprehension of the molecular pathogenesis of M. bovis.

Prevalence of Ureaplasma species among patients at a tertiary hospital in China: a 10-year retrospective study from 2013 to 2022.

BACKGROUND: Ureaplasma species are common pathogens of the urogenital tract and can cause a range of diseases. Unfortunately, there is still a scarcity of large-scale and cross-sectional studies on the prevalence of Ureaplasma species in China to clarify their epidemic patterns. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed the data of 18667 patients who visited Peking Union Medical College Hospital for showing various symptoms of (suspected) Ureaplasma species infection during the period 2013-2022. The overall prevalence of Ureaplasma species was calculated, and subgroup analyses were conducted in view of gender, age, specimen types, and diagnosis in every year within the period studied. Furthermore, previous literature that reported on the prevalence of Ureaplasma species in various regions of China was searched and summarized. RESULTS: The overall positive rate of Ureaplasma species in this study reached 42.1% (7861/18667). Specifically, the prevalence of Ureaplasma species was significantly higher in female patients, while the highest detection rate was found in the 21-50 age group. From 2013 to 2022, there were no significant differences in positive rates of Ureaplasma species among years. However, the detection rate of Ureaplasma species was decreased in COVID-19 period (2020-2022) compared to pre-COVID-19 period (2017-2019). In view of the distribution of patients, outpatients predominated, but the detection rate was lower than inpatients. Urine was the most common specimen type, while cervical swabs had the highest detection rate of Ureaplasma species. When grouped by diagnosis, the highest positive rate of Ureaplasma species was seen in patients with adverse pregnancy outcomes and the lowest rate in patients with prostate disease. The previous literature, although heterogeneous, collectively suggested a high prevalence of Ureaplasma species in China. CONCLUSIONS: Our study has shown that Ureaplasma species have reached a significant prevalence in China and demands adequate attention.

Elevada tasa de resistencia a macrólidos y fluoroquinolonas en Mycoplasma genitalium en el área sur de Tenerife / High macrolides and fluoroquinolones resistance rate in Mycoplasma genitalium in southern Tenerife

Introducción. Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) es un reconocido patógeno de transmisión sexual. El aumento de las resistencias asociadas a las principales líneas de tratamiento (macrólidos y quinolonas) justifican un estudio genético de mutaciones para mejorar las tasas de curación. Material y métodos. Un total de 8.508 muestras fueron analizadas entre abril de 2018 y julio de 2022 para la detección de MG mediante la técnica de PCR multiplex AllplexTM STI Essential Assay. En los casos positivos para MG se estudió el dominio V del gen 23S rRNA y los genes gyrA y parC. Se evaluó la importancia clínica de las mutaciones y se revisaron las historias clínicas para obtener información demográfica y de tratamiento. Resultados. Se realizó estudio de resistencias a 92 muestras (65 hombres y 27 mujeres). En lo relativo al estudio genotípico, 28 pacientes presentaban mutaciones a macrólidos (30,43%). La más habitual fue A2059G (18.48%). Para las quinolonas, 5 pacientes (5,43%) presentaron mutaciones clínicamente relevantes en el gen parC. Destaca un paciente con la mutación G295 en gyrA asociada a G248T en parC. Treinta individuos se sometieron al test de cura (TOC). La azitromicina fue el régimen empírico más común y el moxifloxacino la principal alternativa. Conclusiones. La elevada tasa de resistencias en nuestro entorno evidencia la necesidad de realizar una terapia dirigida por el estudio genotípico de resistencias a macrólidos, apoyándonos en la detección de mutaciones en parC y gyrA para predecir la susceptibilidad a quinolonas y en el uso del TOC para evaluar la respuesta al tratamiento (AU)

Introduction. Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is a recognized sexually transmitted pathogen. Increasing resistance to main lines of treatment (macrolides and quinolones) justifies a genetic study of mutations to improve cure rates. Material and methods. A total of 8,508 samples from April 2018 to July 2022 were processed using AllplexTM STI Essential Assay. In MG positive cases 23S rRNA V domain, gyrA and parC genes were studied. Mutations detected were checked to assess their clinical significance and medical records were reviewed to obtain demographic and treatment information. Results. Resistance study was performed on 92 samples (65 men and 27 women). In relation to the genotypic study, 28 patients presented mutations to macrolides (30.43%). Most common was A2059G (18.48%). For quinolones, 5 patients (5.43%) had clinically relevant mutations in parC gene. Of note was a patient with G295 mutation in gyrA associated with G248T in parC. Thirty subjects underwent a test of cure (TOC). Azithromycin was the most common empirical regimen and moxifloxacin the main alternative. Conclusions. High rate of resistance in our environment evidences the need for targeted therapy by genotypic study of macrolide resistance, supported by the detection of mutations in parC and gyrA to predict quinolones susceptibility and the use of TOC to evaluate treatment response (AU)

Rapid and sensitive detection of waterfowl mycoplasmas using TaqMan assays.

Waterfowl-specific mycoplasmas cause significant economic losses worldwide. However, only limited resources are available for the specific detection of three such bacteria, Mycoplasma anatis, M. anseris and M. cloacale. We developed species-specific TaqMan assays and tested their reliability across 20 strains of the respective target species as well as 84 non-target avian bacterial strains. Furthermore, we analysed 32 clinical DNA samples and compared the results with those of previously published conventional PCRs. The TaqMan assays showed 100% specificity and very high sensitivity, enabling the detection of target DNA as low as either 10 or 100 copies/µl concentration, depending on the assay. Importantly, we found that while the here developed TaqMan assays are reliable for species-specific detection of M. anatis, the previously published conventional PCR assay may give false positive results. In conclusion, the new assays are reliable, sensitive and suitable for clinical diagnostics of the target species.

Functional interferon-epsilon gene polymorphisms and sexually transmitted infections of the endometrium.

PROBLEM: Interferon-epsilon (IFNε) is the only type I IFN constitutively expressed in the female reproductive tract and fluctuates across the menstrual cycle in humans. Mouse models show that IFNε protects against Chlamydia trachomatis, Herpes Simplex Virus, HIV, and Zika in mice, but human studies are limited. Bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STI) can ascend to the upper genital tract and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and subsequent infertility. However, the host immunological mechanisms that play a role in the ascension and infection of the endometrium in individuals with clinically suspected PID are not elucidated. METHOD OF STUDY: This pilot investigation determined if IFNε gene variants are associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV) and endometrial infection with C. trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Mycoplasma genitalium using biospecimens from 154 self-report Black individuals who participated in the PID Evaluation and Clinical Health (PEACH) study. RESULTS: The T allele for rs2039381 was associated with endometrial STI infection (OR 2.7, 95% CI: 1.0-7.1) and the C allele for rs1125488 was inversely associated with BV (OR: .2, 95% CI: .05-.8). CONCLUSIONS: Few studies have examined IFNε gene variants, our study raises the possibility that IFNε gene variants may be a potential host contributor to STI pathogenesis.

Mycoplasma Genitalium: A Lesser-Known Cause of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is a bacterium that can be spread through sexual contact with another person who is infected. If misdiagnosed and left untreated, this newer, emerging sexually transmitted infection (STI) can cause complications such as urethritis and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in both men and women. In males, MG can be asymptomatic and undetectable. In females, MG may present with nonspecific symptoms, such as dysuria, vaginal discharge, and/or pelvic pain. In addition to chlamydia and gonorrhea, MG may result in PID. Due to the complications of MG, health care providers in the emergency department setting need to consider this as a differential diagnosis when performing STI and vaginitis screenings on sexually active patients who may present with urinary or vaginal complaints. As patients with pelvic pain are frequently seen in the emergency department, providers need to be aware of the role that MG may play in STIs and the subsequent sequelae if not treated properly.

Pathogenicity and molecular characterization of Mycoplasma bovis isolate from calves in Morocco.

Bovine respiratory disease caused by Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) represents a major health problem for cattle worldwide that causes considerable financial losses. This study reports for the first time the molecular and pathogenic characterization of a strain of M. bovis isolated from a dead local calf with respiratory symptoms in Morocco. M. bovis was isolated from lung tissue, purified by cloning, and subtyped using MLST analysis. Experimental infection was conducted in naïve calves to evaluate pathogenicity. The isolate was identified as a new subtype ST-204 that shares similarities with the 2019-2021 Spanish strains (ST-169, ST-170, ST-171) and the 2018 Algeria isolate (ST-4). Experimental infection resulted in fever and respiratory symptoms with serous nasal discharge. At postmortem, lung lesions of congestion and hepatization were observed with lymph node enlargement and foci of necrosis. The study confirms the high pathogenicity of the isolate and the important role of M. bovis in bovine respiratory disease.

Effectiveness of sitafloxacin monotherapy for quinolone-resistant rectal and urogenital Mycoplasma genitalium infections: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma genitalium has a tendency to develop macrolide and quinolone resistance. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the microbiological cure rate of a 7 day course of sitafloxacin for the treatment of rectal and urogenital infections in MSM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This open-label, prospective cohort study was conducted at the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan from January 2019 to August 2022. Patients with M. genitalium urogenital or rectal infections were included. The patients were treated with sitafloxacin 200 mg daily for 7 days. M. genitalium isolates were tested for parC, gyrA and 23S rRNA resistance-associated mutations. RESULTS: In total, 180 patients (median age, 35 years) were included in this study, of whom 77.0% (97/126) harboured parC mutations, including 71.4% (90/126) with G248T(S83I) in parC, and 22.5% (27/120) harboured gyrA mutations. The median time to test of cure was 21 days. The overall microbiological cure rate was 87.8%. The cure rate was 100% for microbes harbouring parC and gyrA WTs, 92.9% for microbes harbouring parC G248T(S83I) and gyrA WT, and 41.7% for microbes harbouring parC G248T(S83I) and gyrA with mutations. The cure rate did not differ significantly between urogenital and rectal infection (P = 0.359). CONCLUSIONS: Sitafloxacin monotherapy was highly effective against infection caused by M. genitalium, except strains with combined parC and gyrA mutations. Sitafloxacin monotherapy can be used as a first-line treatment for M. genitalium infections in settings with a high prevalence of parC mutations and a low prevalence of gyrA mutations.

Are Purple Finches (Haemorhous purpureus) the Next Host for a Mycoplasmal Conjunctivitis Epidemic?

Ever since 1994, when the bacterial pathogen Mycoplasma gallisepticum jumped from poultry to wild birds, it has been assumed that the primary host species of this pathogen in wild North American birds was the house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus), in which disease prevalence was higher than in any other bird species. Here we tested two hypotheses to explain a recent increase in disease prevalence in purple finches (Haemorhous purpureus) around Ithaca, New York. Hypothesis 1 is that, as M. gallisepticum evolved and became more virulent, it has also become better adapted to other finches. If this is correct, early isolates of M. gallisepticum should cause less-severe eye lesions in purple finches than in house finches, while more-recent isolates should cause eye lesions of similar severity in the two species. Hypothesis 2 is that, as house finch abundance declined following the M. gallisepticum epidemic, purple finches around Ithaca increased in abundance relative to house finches and purple finches are thus more frequently exposed to M. gallisepticum-infected house finches. This would then lead to an increase in M. gallisepticum prevalence in purple finches. Following an experimental infection with an early and a more-recent M. gallisepticum isolate, eye lesions in purple finches were more severe than in house finches. This did not a support Hypothesis 1; similarly, an analysis of Project Feeder Watch data collected around Ithaca did not show differences in changes in purple and house finches' abundance since 2006, a result which does not support Hypothesis 2. We conclude that purple finch populations will, unlike those of house finches, not suffer a severe decline because of a M. gallisepticum epidemic.

¿Son los pinzones purpúreos (Haemorhous purpureus) los próximos huéspedes de una epidemia de conjuntivitis por micoplasma? Desde el año 1994, cuando el patógeno bacteriano Mycoplasma gallisepticum saltó de las aves comerciales a las aves silvestres, se ha supuesto que la principal especie huésped de este patógeno en las aves silvestres de América del Norte era el pinzón mexicano (Haemorhous mexicanus), en el que la prevalencia de la enfermedad era mayor que en cualquier otra especie aviar. En este estudio se analizaron dos hipótesis para explicar un aumento reciente en la prevalencia de la enfermedad en los pinzones purpúreos (Haemorhous purpureus) alrededor de Ithaca, en Nueva York. La hipótesis 1 es que, a medida que M. gallisepticum evolucionó y se volvió más virulento, también se adaptó mejor a otros pinzones. Si esto es correcto, los aislamientos tempranos de M. gallisepticum deberían causar lesiones oculares menos graves en los pinzones purpúreos que en los pinzones mexicanos, mientras que los aislamientos más recientes deberían causar lesiones oculares de gravedad similar en las dos especies. La hipótesis 2 es que, a medida que la abundancia de pinzones mexicanos disminuyó después de la epidemia de M. gallisepticum, los pinzones purpúreos alrededor de Ithaca aumentaron en abundancia en relación con los pinzones mexicanos y, por lo tanto, los pinzones morados están expuestos con mayor frecuencia a los pinzones caseros infectados con M. gallisepticum. Esto conduciría a un aumento de la prevalencia de M. gallisepticum en los pinzones purpúreos. Después de una infección experimental con un aislamiento temprano y uno más reciente de M. gallisepticum, las lesiones oculares en los pinzones purpúreos fueron más graves que en los pinzones mexicanos. Esto no apoyó la Hipótesis 1; de manera similar, un análisis de los datos del Proyecto Feeder Watch recopilados alrededor de Ithaca no mostró diferencias en los cambios de la abundancia de pinzones purpúreos y mexicanos desde 2006, un resultado que no respalda la Hipótesis 2. Se concluye que las poblaciones de pinzones purpúreos, a diferencia de las de los pinzones mexicanos, no sufrieron un declive severo a causa de una epidemia de M. gallisepticum.

Retrospective and Comparative Study of Three Molecular Assays for the Macrolide Resistance Detection in Mycoplasma genitalium Positive Urogenital Specimens.

The capacity of Mycoplasma genitalium to develop resistance to macrolides makes detection of macrolide resistance genes by rapid real-time PCR assays increasingly necessary in clinical diagnostic laboratories so as to initiate appropriate treatment as rapidly as possible. The aim of this retrospective and comparative study was to conduct the clinical evaluation of three commercially available kits for macrolide resistance detection. A total of 111 M. genitalium positive samples analyzed in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory of the Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza (Spain) were used. After M. genitalium molecular confirmation, the three assays under study were evaluated and discrepant results were resolved via sequencing. The clinical sensitivity for resistance detection was 83% (95% confidence interval, 69% to 93%) for the ResistancePlus® MG panel kit (SpeeDx Pty Ltd., Sydney, Australia), 95% (84% to 99%) for AllplexTM MG & AziR Assay (Seegene®, Seoul, Korea), and 97% (88% to 99%) for the VIASURE macrolide resistance-associated mutations (23SrRNA) Real time PCR detection kit (Certest Biotec, Zaragoza, Spain). The clinical specificity was 100% (94% to 100%) for Allplex and VIASURE assays and 95% (86% to 99%) for SpeeDx assay. The results arising from this study are cause for strong consideration for the implementation of rapid real-time PCR assays in clinical diagnosis laboratories to eliminate treatment failure and transmission as soon as possible.