Mycoplasma or Mollicutes

Mycoplasma or Mollicutes

The Mycoplasma are very small (0.1–0.5µm), pleomorphic gram negative microorganisms. They are first isolated by Nocard and co-workers in the year 1898 from pleural fluid of cattle affected with bovine pleuropneumonia. They lack cell wall and appears like “Fried Egg” in culture. The DNA contains low Guanine and Cytosine content than true bacteria. They cause disease in animals and plants. Little leaf of brinjal, witches broom of legumes phyllody of cloves, sandal spike are some plant diseases caused by mycoplasma. Pleuropneumonia is caused by Mycoplasma mycoides. The structure of Mycoplasma is given in Figure 1.18.