View source for Mycoplazma genitalium

<p><span style="color: #000000"><i><b>Mycoplasma genitalium</b></i> is a small parasitic bacterium which lives on the ciliated epithelial cells of the primate genital and respiratory tracts. <i>M. genitalium</i> is the smallest known free-living bacterium, and the second-smallest bacterium after the recently-discovered endosymbiont <i>Carsonella ruddii</i>. Until the discovery of <i>Nanoarchaeum</i> in 2002, <i>M. genitalium</i> was also considered to be the organism with the smallest genome.<sup id="cite_ref-0" class="reference"><font size="2">[1]</font></sup></span></p>
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            <h2><span style="color: #000000">Contents</span></h2>
            <span style="color: #000000"><span class="toctoggle"><font size="2">[</font><font size="2">hide</font><font size="2">]</font></span></span></div>
            <ul>
                <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-1"><span style="color: #000000"><span class="tocnumber">1</span> <span class="toctext">Overview</span></span></li>
                <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-2"><span style="color: #000000"><span class="tocnumber">2</span> <span class="toctext">Symptoms</span></span></li>
                <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-3"><span style="color: #000000"><span class="tocnumber">3</span> <span class="toctext">Treatment</span></span></li>
                <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-4"><span style="color: #000000"><span class="tocnumber">4</span> <span class="toctext">Synthetic life</span></span></li>
                <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-5"><span style="color: #000000"><span class="tocnumber">5</span> <span class="toctext">See also</span></span></li>
                <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-6"><span style="color: #000000"><span class="tocnumber">6</span> <span class="toctext">References</span></span></li>
                <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-7">&nbsp;</li>
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<h2><span style="color: #000000"><span id="Overview" class="mw-headline">Overview</span></span></h2>
<p><span style="color: #000000"><i>Mycoplasma genitalium</i> was originally isolated in 1980 from urethral specimens of two male patients with non-gonococcal urethritis. Infection by <i>M. genitalium</i> seems fairly common, can be transmitted between partners during unprotected sexual intercourse, and can be treated with antibiotics; however, the organism's role in genital diseases is still unclear.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000">The genome of <i>M. genitalium</i> consists of 521 genes (482 protein encoding genes) in one circular chromosome of 582,970 base pairs. An initial study of the M. genitalium genome with random sequencing was performed by Peterson in 1993. It was then sequenced by Fraser and others. It was found to contain only 470 predicted coding regions, including genes required for DNA replication, transcription and translation, DNA repair, cellular transport, and energy metabolism.<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><font size="2">[2]</font></sup> It was the second complete bacterial genome ever sequenced, after Haemophilus influenzae. The small genome of <i>M. genitalium</i> made it the organism of choice in The Minimal Genome Project, a study to find the smallest set of genetic material necessary to sustain life.</span></p>
<h2><span style="color: #000000"><span id="Symptoms" class="mw-headline">Symptoms</span></span></h2>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Various symptoms of infection: an infected person may have some or all symptoms, or may be asymptomatic.</span></p>
<ul>
    <li><span style="color: #000000">Urethritis (in men)</span></li>
    <li><span style="color: #000000">Discharge (both sexes)</span></li>
    <li><span style="color: #000000">Burning while urinating (both sexes)</span></li>
    <li><span style="color: #000000">Arthritis/reactive arthritis (mostly men)</span></li>
    <li><span style="color: #000000">Vaginal itching</span></li>
    <li><span style="color: #000000">Pain during intercourse (women)</span></li>
    <li><span style="color: #000000">This infection is associated with bacterial vaginosis</span></li>
    <li><span style="color: #000000">In the long term, this infection is suspected to cause pelvic inflammatory disease</span></li>
</ul>
<h2><span style="color: #000000"><span id="Treatment" class="mw-headline">Treatment</span></span></h2>
<p><span style="color: #000000">The CDC recommends using<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><font size="2">[3]</font></sup> one of these treatments, in this order of prevalence (the first is known to be the most effective, the others are alternative treatments)</span></p>
<ul>
    <li><span style="color: #000000">Azithromycin 1 g orally in a single dose</span></li>
    <li><span style="color: #000000">Doxycycline 100 mg orally twice a day for 7 days</span></li>
    <li><span style="color: #000000">Erythromycin base 500 mg orally four times a day for 7 days</span></li>
    <li><span style="color: #000000">Erythromycin ethylsuccinate 800 mg orally four times a day for 7 days</span></li>
    <li><span style="color: #000000">Ofloxacin 300 mg orally twice a day for 7 days</span></li>
    <li><span style="color: #000000">Levofloxacin 500 mg orally once daily for 7 days</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="color: #000000">However, this study Azithromycin Failure in Mycoplasma genitalium Urethritis says that &quot;...doxycycline and levofloxacin have substantial failure rates...&quot; and &quot;...Recurrent urethral symptoms following azithromycin therapy only occurred in persons with persistent M. genitalium infection and resolved with moxifloxacin.&quot;</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000">So moxifloxacin appears to be an alternative treatment after one of the other treatments have already failed (Azithromycin 1g is the preferred first line treatment).</span></p>
<h2><span style="color: #000000"><span id="Synthetic_life" class="mw-headline">Synthetic life</span></span></h2>
<p><span style="color: #000000">In October 2007, a team of scientists headed by DNA researcher Craig Venter and Nobel laureate Hamilton Smith announced that they plan to create the first artificial life form in history by creating a synthetic chromosome which they plan to inject into the <i>M. genitalium</i> bacterium, potentially resulting in an artificial species dubbed <i>Mycoplasma laboratorium</i> or <i>Mycoplasma JCVI-1.0</i> after the research centre in which it was created, the J. Craig Venter Institute in the United States.<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><font size="2">[4]</font></sup><sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><font size="2">[5]</font></sup></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000">On 24 January 2008, the same team reported to have synthesized the complete 582,970 base pair genome of <i>M. genitalium</i> (a key gene that enables the wild organism to cause disease was knocked out). The final stage of synthesis was completed inside a <i>M capricolum</i> which had its DNA removed, with the help of yeast cells.<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><font size="2">[6]</font></sup> On 20 May 2010 they reported success with a similar process, using instead the genome of Mycoplasma mycoides, creating what some called the first artificial life.<sup id="cite_ref-wiredlife_6-0" class="reference"><font size="2">[7]</font></sup></span></p>
<h2><span style="color: #000000"><span id="See_also" class="mw-headline">See also</span></span></h2>
<ul>
    <li><span style="color: #000000">The Minimal Genome Project</span></li>
    <li><span style="color: #000000">Candidatus Carsonella ruddii</span></li>
    <li><span style="color: #000000">Arthritis / Reactive arthritis / Septic arthritis</span></li>
</ul>
<h2><span id="References" class="mw-headline">References</span></h2>
<div class="references-small">
<ol class="references">
    <li id="cite_note-0"><b><a href="#cite_ref-0"><font color="#0645ad">^</font></a></b> Aside from <a title="Virus" href="/wiki/Virus"><font color="#0645ad">viruses</font></a>&mdash;however, it is not agreed upon whether or not viruses constitute life.</li>
    <li id="cite_note-1"><b><a href="#cite_ref-1"><font color="#0645ad">^</font></a></b> <span class="citation Journal">Fraser, Claire M.; <i>et al.</i> (1995). &quot;The Minimal Gene Complement of Mycoplasma genitalium&quot;. <i>Science</i> <b>270</b> (5235): 397&ndash;404. <a title="Digital object identifier" href="/wiki/Digital_object_identifier"><font color="#0645ad">doi</font></a>:<a class="external text" href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126%2Fscience.270.5235.397" rel="nofollow"><font color="#3366bb">10.1126/science.270.5235.397</font></a>.</span><span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&amp;rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&amp;rft.genre=article&amp;rft.atitle=The+Minimal+Gene+Complement+of+Mycoplasma+genitalium&amp;rft.jtitle=Science&amp;rft.aulast=Fraser&amp;rft.aufirst=Claire+M.&amp;rft.au=Fraser%2C%26%2332%3BClaire+M.&amp;rft.date=1995&amp;rft.volume=270&amp;rft.issue=5235&amp;rft.pages=397%E2%80%93404&amp;rft_id=info:doi/10.1126%2Fscience.270.5235.397&amp;rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Mycoplasma_genitalium"><span style="display: none">&nbsp;</span></span></li>
    <li id="cite_note-2"><b><a href="#cite_ref-2"><font color="#0645ad">^</font></a></b> <a class="external free" href="http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2006/urethritis-and-cervicitis.htm#uc2" rel="nofollow"><font color="#3366bb">http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2006/urethritis-and-cervicitis.htm#uc2</font></a></li>
    <li id="cite_note-3"><b><a href="#cite_ref-3"><font color="#0645ad">^</font></a></b> <span class="citation news">Pilkington, Ed (2007-10-06). <a class="external text" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/oct/06/genetics.climatechange" rel="nofollow"><font color="#3366bb">&quot;I am creating artificial life, declares US gene pioneer&quot;</font></a>. <i><a title="The Guardian" href="/wiki/The_Guardian"><font color="#0645ad">The Guardian</font></a></i><span class="printonly">. <a class="external free" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/oct/06/genetics.climatechange" rel="nofollow"><font color="#3366bb">http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/oct/06/genetics.climatechange</font></a></span>.</span><span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&amp;rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&amp;rft.genre=article&amp;rft.atitle=I+am+creating+artificial+life%2C+declares+US+gene+pioneer&amp;rft.jtitle=%5B%5BThe+Guardian%5D%5D&amp;rft.aulast=Pilkington&amp;rft.aufirst=Ed&amp;rft.au=Pilkington%2C%26%2332%3BEd&amp;rft.date=2007-10-06&amp;rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.guardian.co.uk%2Fscience%2F2007%2Foct%2F06%2Fgenetics.climatechange&amp;rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Mycoplasma_genitalium"><span style="display: none">&nbsp;</span></span></li>
    <li id="cite_note-4"><b><a href="#cite_ref-4"><font color="#0645ad">^</font></a></b> <span class="citation news">Briggs, Helen (2008-01-24). <a class="external text" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7203186.stm" rel="nofollow"><font color="#3366bb">&quot;Synthetic life 'advance' reported&quot;</font></a>. <i><a title="BBC News" href="/wiki/BBC_News"><font color="#0645ad">BBC News</font></a></i><span class="printonly">. <a class="external free" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7203186.stm" rel="nofollow"><font color="#3366bb">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7203186.stm</font></a></span>.</span><span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&amp;rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&amp;rft.genre=article&amp;rft.atitle=Synthetic+life+%27advance%27+reported&amp;rft.jtitle=%5B%5BBBC+News%5D%5D&amp;rft.aulast=Briggs&amp;rft.aufirst=Helen&amp;rft.au=Briggs%2C%26%2332%3BHelen&amp;rft.date=2008-01-24&amp;rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbc.co.uk%2F1%2Fhi%2Fsci%2Ftech%2F7203186.stm&amp;rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Mycoplasma_genitalium"><span style="display: none">&nbsp;</span></span></li>
    <li id="cite_note-5"><b><a href="#cite_ref-5"><font color="#0645ad">^</font></a></b> <span class="citation news">Ball, Philip (2008-01-24). <a class="external text" href="http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080124/full/news.2008.522.html" rel="nofollow"><font color="#3366bb">&quot;Genome stitched together by hand&quot;</font></a>. <i>Nature News</i>. <a title="Digital object identifier" href="/wiki/Digital_object_identifier"><font color="#0645ad">doi</font></a>:<a class="external text" href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038%2Fnews.2008.522" rel="nofollow"><font color="#3366bb">10.1038/news.2008.522</font></a><span class="printonly">. <a class="external free" href="http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080124/full/news.2008.522.html" rel="nofollow"><font color="#3366bb">http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080124/full/news.2008.522.html</font></a></span>.</span><span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&amp;rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&amp;rft.genre=article&amp;rft.atitle=Genome+stitched+together+by+hand&amp;rft.jtitle=Nature+News&amp;rft.aulast=Ball&amp;rft.aufirst=Philip&amp;rft.au=Ball%2C%26%2332%3BPhilip&amp;rft.date=2008-01-24&amp;rft_id=info:doi/10.1038%2Fnews.2008.522&amp;rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Fnews%2F2008%2F080124%2Ffull%2Fnews.2008.522.html&amp;rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Mycoplasma_genitalium"><span style="display: none">&nbsp;</span></span></li>
    <li id="cite_note-wiredlife-6"><b><a href="#cite_ref-wiredlife_6-0"><font color="#0645ad">^</font></a></b> <span class="citation web">Swaby, Rachel. [On 20 May 2010 they report success with the implantation of th &quot;Scientists Create First Self-Replicating Synthetic Life&quot;]. Wired<span class="printonly">. On 20 May 2010 they report success with the implantation of th</span><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved 21 May 2010</span>.</span><span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&amp;rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&amp;rft.genre=bookitem&amp;rft.btitle=Scientists+Create+First+Self-Replicating+Synthetic+Life&amp;rft.atitle=&amp;rft.aulast=Swaby&amp;rft.aufirst=Rachel&amp;rft.au=Swaby%2C%26%2332%3BRachel&amp;rft.pub=Wired&amp;rft_id=On+20+May+2010+they+report+success+with+the+implantation+of+th&amp;rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Mycoplasma_genitalium"><span style="display: none">&nbsp;</span></span></li>
</ol>
</div>
<h2><span id="External_links" class="mw-headline">External links</span></h2>
<ul>
    <li><a class="external text" href="http://www.hpa.org.uk/cfi/stbrl/Mycoplasma_genitalium_ref_work.htm" rel="nofollow"><font color="#3366bb">Mycoplasma genitalium Reference Work</font></a> at the <a class="mw-redirect" title="UK Health Protection Agency" href="/wiki/UK_Health_Protection_Agency"><font color="#0645ad">UK Health Protection Agency</font></a></li>
    <li><a class="external text" href="http://cmr.jcvi.org/tigr-scripts/CMR/GenomePage.cgi?database=gmg" rel="nofollow"><font color="#3366bb">Mycoplasma genitalium G-37 genome page</font></a></li>
</ul>