Potential Molecular Targets for Narrow-Spectrum Agents to Combat Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection and Disease

Abstract

As Mycoplasma pneumoniae macrolide resistance grows and spreads worldwide, it is becoming more important to develop new drugs to prevent infection or limit disease. Because other mycoplasma species have acquired resistance to other classes of antibiotics, it is reasonable to presume that M. pneumoniae can do the same, so switching to commonly used antibiotics like fluoroquinolones will not result in forms of therapy with long-term utility. Moreover, broad-spectrum antibiotics can have serious consequences for the patient, as these drugs may have severe impacts on the natural microbiota of the individual, compromising the health of the patient either short-term or long-term. Therefore, developing narrow-spectrum antibiotics that effectively target only M. pneumoniae and no more than a small portion of the microbiota is likely to yield impactful, positive results that can be used perhaps indefinitely to combat M. pneumoniae. Development of these agents requires a deep understanding of the basic biology of M. pneumoniae, in many areas deeper than what is currently known. In this review, we discuss potential targets for new, narrow-spectrum agents and both the positive and negative aspects of selecting these targets, which include toxic molecules, metabolic pathways, and attachment and motility. By gathering this information together, we anticipate that it will be easier for researchers to evaluate topics of priority for study of M. pneumoniae.

Emerging Antibiotic Resistance in Mycoplasma Microorganisms, Designing Effective and Novel Drugs / Therapeutic Targets: Current Knowledge and Futuristic Prospects

“…Antimycoplasma antibiotic resistance is the current issue of emergence and requires timely intervention for proper resolution. Since decades mycoplasmosis is being treated mainly with antimicrobials with varying degree of success, as vaccination is either lacking or has not been effective 49,91 . Antimicrobials like tetracyclines, marcolides,aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, and cephalosporins are common agents used in animals and humans against mycoplasmosis 34,57,92,93,94 .…”

“…As there is rise of antibiotic resistance against mycoplasma, ineffectiveness of commonly available and used antibiotics adds to problem hence there is dire need for exploring novel strategies and novel targets for antimycoplasma therapy 47,48,49 . These include the follow ups for antibiotic sensitivity testing, employing alternativeantibiotics, and alternate therapies.…”

“…These include the follow ups for antibiotic sensitivity testing, employing alternativeantibiotics, and alternate therapies. Novel targets are based on proteomics 46,50 , genomics, enzymes 52 or metabolism 53 , besides there are numerous other novel targets which are under investigation 44,47,48,49 and further exploration can help in identifying specific and effective therapeutic and drug targets in future. All these measures will help in preventing antibiotic resistance in mycoplasma, emergence of resistant species, exploring novel targets, safe and effective therapy of mycoplasma diseases in future.…”

Cryo‐electron tomography analyses of terminal organelle mutants suggest the motility mechanism of Mycoplasma genitalium

“…In this study, we systematically analyzed eleven mutant strains lacking terminal organelle proteins by high‐resolution cryoelectron tomography (cryo‐ET) and correlated the tomographic images with the cellular adhesion and motility behavior derived from microcinematographies. Our study provides insights into the assembly, structure and function of the M. genitalium motility system, which is an important target for novel antimicrobial approaches to pathogenic Mycoplasma (Balish and Distelhorst, ). This field of research is particularly important given the escalating resistance of M. genitalium to the recommended first‐line antibiotic treatment (Murray et al ., ).…”

Dual dye-loaded Au@Ag coupled to a lateral flow immunoassay for the accurate and sensitive detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

“…Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae, MP), a unique pathogen lacking a peptidoglycan cell wall and self-reproducing without a host, is the common reason of pneumonia and respiratory diseases in all age groups worldwide. [1][2][3] Approximately 6-30% of pneumonia cases in all ages can be ascribed to M. pneumoniae infection, and the epidemic peaks in intervals of 3-7 years. 4,5 The early diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infection is important for deciding the treatment modality and guiding the appropriate antibiotic therapy.…”