mycoplasma

my·co·plas·ma

noun \ˌmī-kō-ˈplaz-mə\

plural my·co·plas·mas also my·co·plas·ma·ta \-mə-tə\

Definition of MYCOPLASMA

: any of a genus (Mycoplasma of the family Mycoplasmataceae) of pleomorphic gram-negative chiefly nonmotile bacteria that lack a cell wall and are mostly parasitic usually in mammals —called also pleuropneumonia-like organism

— my·co·plas·mal \-məl\ adjective

Origin of MYCOPLASMA

New Latin

First Known Use: 1955

my·co·plas·ma

noun \ˌmī-kō-ˈplaz-mə\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of MYCOPLASMA

1

capitalized : the type genus of the family Mycoplasmataceae containing minute pleomorphic gram-negative chiefly nonmotile bacteria that are mostly parasitic usually in mammals—see pleuropneumonia 2

2

plural my·co·plas·mas also my·co·plas·ma·ta \-mət-ə\ : any bacterium of the genus Mycoplasma or of the family Mycoplasmataceae—called also pleuropneumonia-like organism, PPLO

—my·co·plas·mal \-məl\ adjective

mycoplasma

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of the bacteria that make up the genus Mycoplasma. They are among the smallest of bacterial organisms. The cell varies from a spherical or pear shape to that of a slender branched filament. Mycoplasma species are gram-negative (see gram stain) and do not require oxygen. They are colonial microorganisms that lack cell walls. They are parasites of joints and the mucous membranes lining the respiratory, genital, or digestive tracts of cud-chewing animals, carnivores, rodents, and humans. Toxic by-products excreted by the bacteria accumulate in the host’s tissues, causing damage. One species causes a widespread but rarely fatal pneumonia in humans.