Patterns of antibiotic resistance of Mycoplasma hominis endosymbiont of Trichomonas vaginalis and the influence of bacterial intracellular location on drug susceptibility

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2023.09.021
• Publication Date: 2023-10-09T09:14:35Z
• Authors: Valentina Margarita; Gavino Carboni; Nicia Diaz; Paola Rappelli; Pier Luigi Fiori
• Keywords: Mycoplasma hominis; Trichomoniasis

Mycoplasma hominis, an opportunistic pathogen of the human lower urogenital tract, can survive and replicate within protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis, establishing endosymbiotic relationship. The intracellular location may provide a means for bacteria to evade immune system protection from antimicrobial activities. Our aim was investigate influence association M. hominis with trichomonad cells on bacterial antibiotic susceptibility. We evaluated resistance patterns in group isolated T. vaginalis clinical specimens as well patients without trichomoniasis. Using experimental model system, we compared minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) lethal (MLC) tetracycline endosymbionts extracellular bacteria. incidence rate strains resistant C14 C15 macrolide antibiotics higher associated women not affected by However, sensitivity quinolones similar both groups. In vitro experiments demonstrated that strains, when exhibited reduced cultured extracellularly at least 8 weeks. localization impact