American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Technologist in Cytogenetics certification (ASCP CG) Practice Test

What is the best agent to use against mycoplasma?

1. Penicillin

2. BM cyclin

3. Tetracycline

4. Vancomycin

The correct answer is: BM cyclin

The best agent to use against mycoplasma is tetracycline. Mycoplasmas are a genus of bacteria that lack a cell wall, which makes them inherently resistant to antibiotics that target cell wall synthesis, like penicillin and vancomycin. Since these antibiotics do not have effective action against organisms without cell walls, they are not suitable choices for treating mycoplasma infections. Tetracycline, on the other hand, is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that inhibits protein synthesis by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit. This mechanism of action is effective against mycoplasmas, making it a preferred treatment option. The use of tetracycline is well-suited for targeting mycoplasma due to its ability to penetrate the bacterial cell and affect ribosomal function. BM cyclin is not an antibiotic and does not have any role in treating bacterial infections. It typically refers to proteins involved in the regulation of the cell cycle, and therefore is not applicable in this context. Tetracycline's distinct mechanism of action and suitability for treating infections caused by mycoplasma highlights its importance in clinical treatment scenarios where mycoplasma is involved.