High frequency of antibodies to Mycoplasma penetrans in HIV-infected patients

Abstract

Mycoplasma penetrans, a novel mycoplasma isolated from HIV-1-infected patients with AIDS, has pathogenic properties associated with in-vivo virulence. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blotting detected a more than 100 times higher frequency of antibodies to the mycoplasma in serum from HIV-1-infected patients with AIDS (40%) than from HIV-negative controls (0.3%). Serum from 20% of HIV-1-infected, symptom-free individuals also had M penetrans specific antibodies. The antibodies' major immunoreactivity was directed against P35 and P38, the two main lipid-associated membrane protein antigens of the organism. Patients attending sexually transmitted disease clinics had a low frequency of antibody (0.9%). None of 178 HIV-negative patients with different non-AIDS diseases, many associated with immune dysfunction and/or low white cell counts, tested positive for the antibodies. M penetrans, apparently not a commensal and not a simple opportunist, is uniquely associated with HIV-1 infection and AIDS.

Characterization of Mycoplasma penetrans and Mycoplasma fermentans immunodominant proteins

“…The profile of the LAMP fraction of Mycoplasma fermentans revealed 29, 38, 41, 61, 78, 95 and 150 kDa proteins. The bands p35 and p29 identified in this study are those referred in the literature as being specific for M. penetrans and M. fermentans (7,15,27) (Fig. 1).…”

“…M. fermentans ATCC 19989 was cultured in SP-4 medium at 37ºC under anaerobic conditions. LAMP antigen preparation was as follows: Mycoplasma lipidassociated membrane proteins (LAMP) were obtained in accordance with the method described by Wang et al (27). Briefly, 500 mL of broth cultures were centrifuged at 12,000 x g for 60 min at 4ºC.…”

“…Furthermore, Wang et al, (27) described two 61 and 103 kDa proteins in sera of HIV patients, which were not identified in sera of HIV-negative patients. In our study, however, these two proteins were identified in sera of pregnant women, indicating a possible presence in general population.…”

“…M. penetrans adhesion to the host cell is related to the 35, 38, 61 kDa lipid-associated membrane proteins (LAMP) and to the 103 kDa proteins. Studies with sera of HIV positive patients showed p35 and p38 to be immunodominant proteins (3,6,27). However, p35 and p38 was shown to be the specific lipoproteins for M. penetrans in Western blot with a high frequency of phase variation (7,19,20).…”

Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans

“…Another mycop1asma, M. penetrans (Lo et al, 1991), seems to be more common in HIVinfected than in HIV -negative individua1s, as shown by the preva1ence of antibodies to this organism (Wang et al, 1992). Serological evidence suggests that M. penetrans might be more common in HIV -infected homosexuals, but not in intravenous drug users or haemophiliacs, suggesting a IInk to those patient groups known to be at an increased risk for Kaposi's sarcoma (Wang et al, 1993).…”