[Mycoplasmas and AIDS].

Recent findings by a number of investigators suggest the association of mycoplasma and HIV or AIDS. Mycoplasmas have been implicied as a possible cofactor in AIDS pathogenesis. These mycoplasmas include Mycoplasma fermentans, Mycoplasma pirum, Mycoplasma genitalium and Mycoplasma penetrans. These mycoplasmas have been showed to have the capacity to invade cells and to be potent immunomodulators. To better understand the role of mycoplasma infections in AIDS we must continue to learn the fundamental biology of this group of unique organisms so that we may improve our diagnostic techniques in molecular genetics, serology, tissue diagnosis and isolation techniques by culture.