title: Mycoplasmas and their host: emerging and re-emerging minimal pathogens.
abstract: Commonly known as mycoplasmas, bacteria of the class Mollicutes include the smallest and simplest life forms capable of self replication outside of a host. Yet, this minimalism hides major human and animal pathogens whose prevalence and occurrence have long been underestimated. Owing to advances in sequencing methods, large data sets have become available for a number of mycoplasma species and strains, providing new diagnostic approaches, typing strategies, and means for comprehensive studies. A broader picture is thus emerging in which mycoplasmas are successful pathogens having evolved a number of mechanisms and strategies for surviving hostile environments and adapting to new niches or hosts.
authors: INRA, UMR1225, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 23 Chemin des Capelles, F-31076 Toulouse Cedex 3, France. citti@envt.fr
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Citti
authors: Alain
authors: A
authors: Blanchard
mesh_terms: D000220:Adaptation, Biological; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000382:microbiology*; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000662:veterinary*; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D037521:Virulence Factors