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Veterinary bacteriology: information about important bacteria
Veterinary bacteriology


Species/Subspecies: Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri
Etymology: Genus name: fungus shaped.
Species epithet: similar to fungi.
Subspecies epithet: from the goat.
Significance:  [Important]   
Taxonomy:
Phylum
Mycoplasmatota
Class
Mollicutes
Order
Mycoplasmatales
Family
Mycoplasmataceae 
Genus
Mycoplasma
Type Strain: PG3 = NCTC 10137.
Macromorphology (smell): Forms small and very typical umbonated colonies ("fried egg appearance"), which can be observed in a microscope.
Micromorphology:
Gram +/Gram -:
Catalase/Oxidase:
Spec. Char.:
Special Media:
Disease:
HostsDiseaseClinical picture
Goats (adults)Mastitis, pleuropneumonia, arthritis and kerato-conjunctivitis and sometimes abortionLoss of milk production
Goats (kids)Septicemia with arthritis and pneumonia
Sheep and cattle (more rare)
Virulence Factors: These bacteria have a capsule, which contributes to adhesion and prevents phagocytosis. They also have the so-called MIB-MIP system. The bacteria also produce hydrogen peroxide and can form biofilm.
Genome Sequence:
Acc-noStrainSize (bp)Genome
FQ377874 95010 1 153 998 1c + 1c 
Three strains have been sequenced and 0-1 plasmid has been found.

16S rRNA Seq.:
Acc-noStrainNumber of NTOperon
U26037 PG3 1524 

Taxonomy/phylogeny:
Mycoplasma mycoides  
Seven species have been described within the revised genus Mycoplasma to which Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri belongs. Two of these species are divided into four subspecies. These species and subspecies belong to the so-called the mycoides group and they are closely related to mollicutes within the genus Spiroplasma. This genus contains many plant pathogens. See the phylogenetic tree (Fig. 206:1). Note that it is only for the mollicutes of the mycoides group that the letter M stands for Mycoplasma. For the other species, M means: Mesomycoplasma, Metamycoplasma, Mycoplasmoides or Mycoplasmopsis.
Comment:Based on whole genome sequencing, the taxonomy of mycoplasmas has recently undergone a comprehensive revision. The new taxonomy has now been introduced in VetBact. However, for some mollicutes (mycoplasmas) the names have not changed and this applies to members of the mycoides group. Read more about the revised taxonomy of the mollicutes under the Term list of VetBact and see also reference 164 below.
Reference(s): No. 164, 165, 166
Updated:2023-03-15

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