A Serological Comparison of Various Species of Mycoplasma by an Agar Gel Double-Diffusion Technique

Abstract

SUMMARYSixteen serological types of Mycoplasma previously distinguished by complement-fixation tests were compared by means of a gel precipitin (Ouchterlony) technique. Each of the sixteen gave a consistent pattern of three to seven precipitation lines with its homologous antiserum. Cross-reactions occurred between heterologous strains, especially with antisera produced with the aid of an adjuvant. Homologous reactions were complex and sufficiently distinctive for the technique to be used to identify unknown strains. Two of the sixteen types, Mycoplasma mycoides var. mycoides and M . mycoides var. cupri, had certain antigenic components in common. The appearance of other cross-reactions suggested that the majority were due to the presence in different species of partly related rather than identical antigens.

Antigenic Properties of Mycoplasma Organisms and Membranes

“…When cell proteins of the caprine and bovine strains were subjected to polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis very similar electrophoretic patterns were revealed (Razin, 1968). Lemcke (1965) by using the gel precipitin technique showed that MycopZasma rnycoides var. rnycoides and M. rnycoides var.…”

The antigens ofMycoplasma hominis

“…saline (Oe15 M) and emulsified in 3 ml. of Drakeol-Arlacel adjuvant (Lemcke, 1965). Rabbits received two such doses at an interval of 13 days.…”

The Serological Identity of Sabin's Murine type C Mycoplasma and Mycoplasma pulmonis

“…These organisms were designated types A culture of type C, which had undergone 60 passages since recovery from Sabin's lyophilized material, was received from Dr J. G. Tully (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., U.S.A.) and examined at the Lister Institute in 1964. The culture was cloned by selecting a single colony at each of two successive subcultures, and tested by complement-fixation and gel-diffusion (Lemcke, 1964(Lemcke, ,1965 and by an agar growthinhibition technique (Clyde, I 964) against antisera to I 7 serologically distinct mycoplasmas (Lemcke, 1964). It reacted only with antisera to two strains of Mycoplasma…”

“…The culture was cloned by selecting a single colony at each of two successive subcultures, and tested by complement-fixation and gel-diffusion (Lemcke, 1964(Lemcke, ,1965 and by an agar growthinhibition technique (Clyde, I 964) against antisera to I 7 serologically distinct mycoplasmas (Lemcke, 1964). It reacted only with antisera to two strains of Mycoplasma pulmonis, KON from the lung of a rat and M I from the lung of a mouse (Lemcke, 1961 , not yet accorded species rank.…”