Attachment by mycoplasmas and its role in disease.

Mycoplasmas are the smallest free-living organisms that will grow on lifeless media. It has been demonstrated that these organisms are extracellular parasites in both animal and human diseases and that they attach to mucosal surfaces. Some of the mycoplasma species have differentiated, terminal attachment organelles. A definitive characterization of host-cell receptors and the binding sites on mycoplasmas should aid in the understanding of disease mechanisms. This information may then be used to develop strategies for prevention of diseases due to mycoplasmas.