Question

Mycoplasma pneumoniae, lacking a cell wall, is immune to beta-lactam antibiotics like penicillins, which target the peptidoglycan of bacterial cell walls. Consequently, macrolides are commonly used to treat M. pneumoniae infections. This phenomenon underscores the increasing problem of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and the importance of novel treatment approaches.

Answer 1

Mycoplasma pneumoniae, lacking a cell wall, is immune to beta-lactam antibiotics like penicillins. Consequently, macrolides are commonly used to treat M. pneumoniae infections, highlighting the importance of alternative treatments due to resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is unique among bacteria because it lacks a cell wall. The absence of a cell wall makes it immune to the action of beta-lactam antibiotics, which target the synthesis of peptidoglycan in bacterial cell walls. Beta-lactam antibiotics, including penicillins and cephalosporins, are rendered ineffective against Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

As a result of this resistance, macrolide antibiotics such as azithromycin or erythromycin are commonly used to treat M. pneumoniae infections. Macrolides target bacterial protein synthesis, making them effective against bacteria without relying on cell wall structure.

The phenomenon emphasizes the challenge of antibiotic resistance and the need for diverse treatment strategies.