- Pathogenic mycoplasmas have filamentous or flask- like shapes.- Mycoplasmas have specialized polar tip structures or adhesin proteins or have alternative mechanisms to adhere to host cells- Direct cytotoxicity through generation of H2O2 and superoxide radicals- Cytolysis mediated by Ag-AB reactions- By chemotaxis and action of molecular cells1. Respiratory infections- M. pneumoniae produces pertussis toxin-like protein, adhesion proteins and glycolipids that share structural homology to host cells2. Urogenital infections- M.hominis is strongly associated with infection of the uterine tubes (salpingitis) and tubo-ovarian abscesses, pelvic inflammatory disease.- U.urealyticum is common in the female genital tract, where the association with disease is weak.3. Neonatal infections- Meningitis may be associated with M.hominis and ureaplasmas gaining access to the cerebrospinal fluid within the first few days of life.

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