Mycoplasma colonization in primate animal laboratories

Abstract

The role of bacterial and protozoal infections in reproductive failure and fetal loss has been difficult to establish in humans. This study was done in 78 female primates to determine if ureaplasma urealyticum was present. The highest overall incidence of positive cultures (36.4%) occurred among the chimpanzees, who also had the highest number of breeders (i.e., sexually active females.) This suggests that the organisms may be transmitted sexually. An opportunity is now available to study the role of ureaplasma urealyticum in reproductive problems, to determine the exact nature of its pathogenicity.

Ureaplasmas and mycoplasmas in chimpanzees of various breeding capacities

“…All of those from the genital tract that were identified proved to be M. hominis. We isolated ureaplasmas from a much larger proportion of chimpanzees than have other investigators (Swenson & O'Leary, 1977;Khatamee, 1982). This may be due to differences in the animal colonies or to the use of more sensitive isolation procedures or both.…”

“…Brown et al (1976) were the first to isolate ureaplasmas from the throat and genital tract of chimpanzees. Swenson & O'Leary (1977) recovered them from 8 (35%) of 23 female chimpanzees and noted that the animals had a high rate of reproductive failure, whereas Khatamee (1982) noted that 8 (36%) of 22 chimpanzees he examined not only were ureaplasma-positive but also were breeders. Because the relationship between infection by ureaplasmas and reproductive failure has not been established in these animals or man we have studied the problem further by examining a colony of chimpanzees whose reproductive ability was known.…”