What are some examples for pleomorphic bacteria?

Pleomorphic bacteria are those that can alter their shape or size in response to environmental conditions. Here are some notable examples:

Mycoplasma: These bacteria lack a cell wall, allowing them to assume various shapes. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a well-known species that causes respiratory infections.

Corynebacterium: This genus includes species like Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which causes diphtheria. Corynebacteria can exhibit various shapes, from rod-like to club-shaped.

Helicobacter pylori: Known for causing stomach ulcers and chronic gastritis, this bacterium can change from a spiral shape to a coccoid form under stress conditions.

Rickettsia: These are intracellular parasites that can cause diseases such as typhus and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. They can present as rods or coccoid shapes.

Proteus mirabilis: This bacterium, often implicated in urinary tract infections, can exhibit different shapes during its swarming and non-swarming phases.

These bacteria adapt their morphology to enhance survival and infectivity under varying environmental pressures, demonstrating their pleomorphic nature.