Mike Beeton

My research primarily focuses on understanding the role in which mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas play in human health and disease. Over the past 10 years this has primarily focused on Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum with projects examining the prevalence of antibiotic resistance among UK clinical isolates, characterising the mechanisms of resistance as well as understanding the role in which these bacteria play in preterm birth and subsequent neonatal disease. This work has led to projects developing point of care diagnostic techniques as well as specific targeted therapies against ureaplasmas.

More recently I have been involved with research projects examining the respiratory mycoplasmas Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma amphoriforme. M. pneumoniae is a significant cause of respiratory tract infections, is thought to primarily affect young children with epidemics occurring every 4 to 7 years. With respect to M. amphoriforme, very little is known. This emerging pathogen predominantly effects immunocompromised patients, but still more work is required in this area.

Finally, I have an interest in sexually transmitted infections such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae as well as working to understand the complex, and controversial subject relating to the interaction between U. urealyticum and the development of non-gonococcal urethritis in men. I have worked collaboratively to test novel antimicrobial agents against ureaplasmas, as a model for a cell-wall free pathogen, as well as a well characterised strain collection of multidrug resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae.