Mycoplasma hominis

About Mycoplasma hominis

Mycoplasma hominis is an opportunistic pathogen belonging to the class Mollicutes. This bacterium can be part of the normal urogenital tract flora in healthy individuals but may cause inflammatory processes in certain cases, particularly when immune defenses are compromised. Infection with M. hominis is most often asymptomatic and can be associated with alterations in vaginal microbiota and bacterial vaginosis, as well as the development of urethritis, cervicitis, cystitis, pyelonephritis, pelvic inflammatory disease (through ascending infection), and can lead to pregnancy complications, postpartum complications, and post-abortion complications.

Like other members of the Mycoplasma genus, M. hominis lacks a cell wall, rendering it resistant to antibiotics that target peptidoglycan synthesis. M. hominis also inhabits and replicates within protozoan cells and is capable of transmitting bacterial infection to both mycoplasma-free protozoan isolates and human epithelial cells. M. hominis synergistically enhances the inflammatory response to T. vaginalis. Lipoproteins of M. hominis can stimulate interleukin-23 production by dendritic cells and macrophages, thereby promoting a significant pro-inflammatory response during infection.

The primary mode of transmission for Mycoplasma hominis is sexual. Intrauterine infection is relatively rare, except in cases of rupture of the fetal membranes. Colonization by M. hominis typically occurs through contact with the cervix and vagina during childbirth. Children born via cesarean section are infected much less frequently. Neonatal colonization usually does not persist. According to some studies, M. hominis infection can affect the course and outcome of pregnancy (leading to premature rupture of membranes, preterm birth, chorioamnionitis, low birth weight, stillbirth, postpartum endometritis) and can cause infectious-inflammatory diseases in newborns (respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis).