Mycoplasmas and HIV infection: from epidemiology to their interaction with immune cells.

Mycoplasmas are possible HIV cofactors, contributing to the evolution of AIDS. Our knowledge about mycoplasma prevalence in HIV-infected subjects has considerably increased due the development of specific detection assays. A new mycoplasma, Mycoplasma penetrans, has been identified and has been shown to be associated with HIV infection, at least among individuals with homosexual practices. We and others investigated the properties of M. fermentans and M. penetrans concerning cell colonization, cell invasion and cytopathogenicity. The molecular components which are involved in the interaction between these bacteria and immune cells are beginning to be identified and characterized. Membrane lipoproteins of these wall-less prokaryotes are key components in their interaction with B cells and surface capsular material may contribute to their defense from the host immune response.