mycoplasma

noun

my·​co·​plas·​ma ˌmī-kō-ˈplaz-mə How to pronounce mycoplasma (audio)
plural mycoplasmas also mycoplasmata ˌmī-kō-ˈplaz-mə-tə How to pronounce mycoplasma (audio)
: 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

mycoplasmal adjective

Examples of mycoplasma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The disease was contributing to an increase in hospitalizations, along with mycoplasma pneumonia, WHO European regional officials said at a Jan. 16 press conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 27 Jan. 2024 Bacterial infections like mycoplasma pneumonia tend to flare up in cyclical patterns, rising every few years. Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 30 Nov. 2023 The rampant spread of mycoplasma has caused particular concern as many kids appear to not respond to azithromycin, which is commonly used to treat the infection. Bloomberg, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2023 Certain bacterial infections, like mycoplasma pneumonia and group A streptococcus, can also cause wintertime infirmity. Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 7 Dec. 2023 And mycoplasma pneumonia is the one that a lot of people have their eye on. CBS News, 3 Dec. 2023 The uptick can instead be attributed to existing viruses and bacteria, including Covid, flu, respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, and mycoplasma pneumoniae, Dr. Mandy Cohen said, backing up the explanation offered by Chinese authorities and accepted by the World Health Organization. Owen Hayes, NBC News, 30 Nov. 2023 The World Health Organization said last week that China has reported an increase in children’s being hospitalized with mycoplasma pneumonia since May. Jessica Herzberg, NBC News, 30 Nov. 2023 Some European countries have reported an uptick in respiratory illness cases, including mycoplasma pneumoniae infections, in recent weeks, according to local health agencies. Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 30 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mycoplasma.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mycoplasma was in 1955

Dictionary Entries Near mycoplasma

Cite this Entry

“Mycoplasma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mycoplasma. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

mycoplasma

noun
my·​co·​plas·​ma ˌmī-kō-ˈplaz-mə How to pronounce mycoplasma (audio)
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 sense 2
2
plural mycoplasmas also mycoplasmata -mət-ə How to pronounce mycoplasma (audio) : any bacterium of the genus Mycoplasma or of the family Mycoplasmataceae

called also pleuropneumonia-like organism, PPLO

mycoplasmal adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on mycoplasma

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