| Description | Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is a thermophilic, heterotrophic, chemoorganotrophic microbe that thrives in temperatures ranging from 35°C to 40°C. As a chemotroph, it obtains its energy by breaking down organic compounds, specifically using glycolytic and pyruvate fermentation pathways. Gram-stained, M. hyopneumoniae exhibits a characteristic gram-negative staining pattern, indicating the presence of an outer membrane and a peptidoglycan layer. Its shape is typically pleomorphic, meaning it can change shape from spherical to elliptical, and its size ranges from 0.3 to 0.5 μm in diameter. M. hyopneumoniae colonizes the respiratory tract of pigs, specifically the lungs and trachea, where it causes infection and inflammation. As an obligate anaerobe, it requires a low-oxygen environment to survive and replicate, making it sensitive to oxygen and unable to grow in the presence of high oxygen levels. This microbe's unique characteristics allow it to adapt to its host's environment, where it can thrive in the presence of high temperatures and low oxygen levels. Its ability to undergo glycolysis and pyruvate fermentation provides it with a reliable energy source, even in the absence of oxygen. M. hyopneumoniae is an important pathogen in the swine industry, causing pneumonia and bronchopneumonia in pigs, resulting in significant economic losses and morbidity. Its ability to evade the host's immune system and establish a persistent infection has made it a challenging microbe to eradicate. Despite its significant impact on the swine industry, M. hyopneumoniae remains a poorly understood microbe, with its genome and molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis still being researched. |
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