Mycoplasmas are sensitive to various antibiotics like the tetracyclines, macrolides, and the quinolones, but are resistant to antibiotics that specifically inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis, like the penicillins (Razin, 1996).

If detected early, the diseases associated with invasive mycoplasmal infections are treatable with long cycles of high-dose antibiotics. (Hayes, Foo, Kotani, Wear & Lo, 1993; Hannan, 1995; Poulin, Perkins & Kundsin, 1994) Since the organism is a slow-growing, intracellular type with a long life cycle, several long-term courses of antibiotics may be necessary. The infection may need to be treated for several months or years. If a person is taking antibiotics, the testing will not detect the presence of Mycoplasma in the blood. And, if a person has been taking antibiotics, they must wait for 2-3 months after stopping the antibiotics for the test to be accurate (Dudley & Dudley, 2003).

As yet, it is not known if antibiotics are a cure for mycoplasma infections. Mycoplasma has the ability to enter any cell and alter itself, changing its cellular makeup with every cell division. This may make it impossible for readily-available antibiotics to clear the body of this organism.

The recommended treatment appears to cause the organism to diminish or go dormant. Once the natural killer cells of the immune system are free of the infection, they can become healthier and keep the mycoplasma under control. This may take several months or years of antibiotic treatment to accomplish. During this time, it is important to not lower the dose or stop taking the antibiotic too early, for a relapse is certain.

(Created 6/10/05 by Sharon Briggs)