Ask A Scientist© Biology Archive

Author:      conniewood
Text:        What role does mycoplasma play in the spread of AIDS?  How are 
Mycoplasma and HIV linked?

Response #:  1 of 2
Author:      psych
Text:        I believe that one of the criteria for AIDS is the development of 
a mycoplasma infection.  Remember that HIV virus can cause little or noobvious 
problems for many years for someone who is infected.  AIDS is what happens to 
someone with a compromised (poorly functioning) immune system who has been 
infected with the HIV virus.  The HIV virus is probably what damages the 
immune system slowly to cause this.  Mycoplasma usually do not cause 
infections that are a problem unless a person has a compromised immune system.

Response #:  2 of 2
Author:      mgn
Text:        I agree with the last response, in that mycoplasma organisms do 
not play a role in the TRANSMISSION of the virus that causes AIDS; instead, 
they may contribute to the disease by infecting a vulnerable body.  Our immune 
system is like a big burglar alarm.  For the most part, it senses the presence 
of pathogenic "intruders" and summons the proper health enforcement officials 
- White blood cells, antibodies, other supporting chemicals.  HIV, the virus 
that causes AIDS, disables the immune system, letting any old pathogen just 
walk into the body and take over.  Mycoplasma, cryptosporidia, salmonella, 
etc., - there are lots of bugs just waiting out there for an opportunity to 
loot our body's home.