Mycoplasma spp. are infective agents that are members of the Mollicutes, a class of bacteria that do not possess a cell wall. Although there are over 100 species, Mycoplasma pneumonia is the most widely studies Mycoplasma spp.
Mycoplasma pneumonia is estimated to account for 15-50% of community-acquired pneumonia. Mycoplasma genitalium may cause up to 20% of the cases of nongonococcal urethritis, cervicitis, and post-pregnancy pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection has been associated with various autoimmune disorders and antibody production including ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In active Mycoplasma pneumonia infections, the most common neurologic presentations are encephalitis and transverse myelitis. In non-active infectious status, however, immune dysregulation can cause cerebellar dysfunction, peripheral nerve involvement, and cranial nerve palsies.
Because it lacks a cell wall, Mycoplasma spp. is resistant to many common antibiotics; therefore, choices for antimicrobial therapy are limited. Naturopathic treatments are well suited to treat Mycoplasma infections and secondary auto-immune conditions safely and effectively.
April 15, 2025; 1:00 – 2:00 PM EST
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lecture, the clinician will be able to:
- Identify the characteristics of Mycoplasma spp.
- Understand the clinical presentation of mycoplasma infections
- Explain the role of Mycoplasma in autoimmune diseases
- Evaluate treatment options for Mycoplasma infections
- Examine the role of naturopathic treatments in managing Mycoplasma infections
CE Credits
CONO: (Pending approval) Category A – 1.0 credit (General)
British Columbia: Category C – 1.0 credit
AANP: (Pending approval) 1.0 credit (General)
OANP/OBNM: For Oregon attendees seeking OBNM approved CE credits, please note that this event has not been submitted for approval to the OBNM. CE certificate will be issued upon individual request.
Dr Jean-Jacques Dugoua, HBSc, ND, PhD
Dr. Jean-Jacques Dugoua, or Dr. JJ as he is affectionately known, is a naturopathic doctor, clinical pharmacologist and researcher. He is the Chief Medical Officer of the Liberty Clinic in downtown Toronto and the first Naturopathic Doctor (ND) to practice at the Toronto Western Hospital in the Artist Health Center, one of the few NDs practicing in a hospital in Canada. He has done research with the Motherisk Program at Sick Kids Hospital and was an Associate Professor (Status-Only) at the University of Toronto Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.
Dr. JJ completed his PhD in Pharmacy Sciences at the University of Toronto. As part of his PhD research, Dr. JJ investigated the safety of natural products during pregnancy and lactation at the Sick Kids Hospital and conducted a clinical trial on the effects of cinnamon on type 2 diabetes at the Toronto Western Hospital and the Centre Universitaire de Sherbrooke.
Dr. JJ is a co-author of “Herbal Medicines in Pregnancy and Lactation – An Evidence-based Approach First Edition” (Taylor & Francis, 2006) and contributing author to “Clinical Pharmacology During Pregnancy” (Academic Press 2012) and “Diabetes: An old disease, new insight” (Landes 2012). Dr. JJ has many peer-reviewed scientific publications published or in press. He is a world expert on natural health products pharmacology and pregnancy safety. Local and nationwide print and television media frequently consult him to provide expert commentary.
Dr. JJ is an avid public speaker. He has given many presentations to pharmacists, medical professionals, government, academics, artists and musicians, students, teachers, cancer survivors and the general public. Dr. JJ has also given presentations internationally, including presentations at the World Health Organization in Washington DC.
Dr. JJ’s areas of clinical interest include infections, stress and anxiety, skin conditions, hair conditions, digestive issues, gastrointestinal conditions, thyroid conditions, fertility support and adjunctive cancer support. Dr. JJ uses a mélange of naturopathic principals, including clinical nutrition, nutritional supplementation, herbal medicines, counselling, acupuncture and intravenous (IV) therapy. As a ND in Ontario, he prescribes desiccated thyroid and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) where appropriate
