Microbiological and molecular detection of Mycoplasma bovis in milk samples from bovine clinical mastitis / Detecção microbiológica e molecular de Mycoplasma bovis em amostras de leite oriundas de mastite clínica bovina

The genus Mycoplasma includes more than 200 bacterial species that cause disease in animals. It is responsible for causing mastitis in bovines and may be related to other manifestations, such as arthritis and pneumonia in calves and heifers. The present study aimed to detect Mycoplasma bovis isolated from milk samples of bovine clinical mastitis, and to compare the isolation rates in two culture media: Hayflick and SP4. An initial screening was performed in order to detect the presence of the class Mollicutes in 1166 milk samples from clinical mastitis by the conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique. According to the 1166 milk samples evaluated, 8.6% (100/1166) were positive to class Mollicutes. Regarding molecular analyses, 1.1% (13/1166) of conventional PCR for positive M. bovis was obtained and 0.9% (11/1166) in real-time PCR. The results of the microbiological culture of the 100 samples previously screened demonstrated that 6% (6/100) of colony growth have been developed when using the Hayflick medium, and 11% (11/100) when using the SP4 medium (including the positive on Hayflick medium). Concerning the 11 isolates obtained in the microbiological culture, conventional PCR confirmed M. bovis in nine of them, and two cultures were negative. In the phylogenetic analysis of the isolates, all of them were grouped in M. bovis and M. agalactiae clusters. The results confirmed the importance of the presence of M. bovis in the etiology of bovine clinical mastitis and reinforced the need for further studies to elucidate other Mycoplasma species that may be involved in bovine clinical mastitis in Brazil.(AU)

O gênero Mycoplasma inclui mais de 200 espécies que causam doenças nos animais. É responsável por quadros de mastite em bovinos, podendo também estar relacionado à outras manifestações como artrite e pneumonia em bezerros e novilhas. O presente estudo objetivou a detecção de Mycoplasma bovis isolados a partir de amostras de leite de mastite clínica bovina, bem como, a comparação da taxa de isolamento em dois meios de cultura: Hayflick e SP4. Para efeito de triagem amostral, foram avaliadas quanto à presença da classe Mollicutes 1166 amostras de leite de casos de mastite clínica pela técnica de PCR convencional. Das 1166 amostras de leite avaliadas, 8,6% (100/1166) foram positivas à classe. Nas análises moleculares, obteve-se 1,1% (13/1166) de positividade para Mycoplasma bovis na PCR convencional e 0,9% (11/1166) na PCR em tempo real. Os resultados do cultivo microbiológico das 100 amostras triadas previamente demonstraram 6% (6/100) de crescimento de colônias ao se utilizar o meio Hayflick e 11% (11/100) ao se utilizar o meio SP4 (incluindo as positivas ao primeiro). A partir dos 11 isolados obtidos no cultivo microbiológico, a PCR convencional confirmou Mycoplasma bovis em nove deles, e dois foram negativos para o agente. Na análise filogenética dos isolados, todos agruparam no cluster Mycoplasma bovis e Mycoplasma agalactiae. Frente aos resultados, ressalta-se a importância da presença de Mycoplasma bovis na etiologia da mastite clínica bovina e reforça a necessidade de estudos mais aprofundados para a elucidação de outras espécies de micoplasmas que possam estar envolvidas na mastite bovina.(AU)

Detecção molecular e isolamento de Mycoplasma spp. em psitacídeos no estado de Pernambuco, Brasil / Molecular detection and isolation of Mycoplasma spp. in psittacines in Pernambuco state, Brazil

Objetivou-se com este estudo investigar a ocorrência de Mycoplasma spp., Mycoplasma galissepticum (MG) e Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) em psitacídeos de cativeiro localizado no estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Foram estudadas 85 aves provenientes do Parque Estadual Dois Irmãos, localizado no estado do Pernambuco, Brasil. De cada psitacídeo analisado foram obtidas três amostras por meio de swabs da cloaca, palato e conjuntiva totalizando 255 amostras. As amostras coletadas foram submetidas à extração de DNA e à reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), sendo as positivas submetidas ao isolamento em ágar Frey. O DNA de Mycoplasma spp. foi detectado em 16,47% (14/85) dos psitacídeos estudados. Das 255 amostras analisadas, 6,66% (17/255) foram positivas para a presença de Mycoplasma spp., sendo 41,18% (7/17) provenientes da conjuntiva, 35,29% (6/17) do palato e 23,53% (4/17) da cloaca. Nenhuma amostra foi positiva para MG ou MS na PCR. Os resultados obtidos permitem confirmar a presença do DNA de Mycoplasma spp. em conjuntiva, palato e cloaca nas aves estudadas. Foram detectadas colônias semelhantes a membros da classe Mollicutes em 17,64% das amostras (3/17). Esse é o primeiro relato da presença de Mycoplasma spp. em psitacídeos de cativeiro no Nordeste do Brasil.

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Mycoplasma spp., Mycoplasma galissepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) in captive psittacines. Eighty-five wild birds from Parque Estadual Dois Irmãos, Pernambuco state, northeastern Brazil, were used. From each psittacid analyzed three samples were obtained through cloaca, palate and conjunctiva swabs, totaling 255 samples. Samples collected were submitted to DNA extraction and Polimerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Mycoplasma spp. DNA was detected in 16.47% (14/85) of psittacines studied. From 255 samples, 6.66% (17/255) were positive for Mycoplasma spp.: 41.18% (7/17) of positivity in conjunctiva, 35.29% (6/17) in palate and 23.53% (4/17) in cloaca. There was no positive sample for MG or MS in PCR. Similar colonies were found for members of the Mollicutes Class in 17.64% of the samples (3/17). The results confirmed Mycoplasma spp. DNA in conjunctiva, palate and cloaca from the wild birds analyzed. This is the first record of Mycoplasma spp. in captive psittacines from northeastern Brazil.

Recovery of Mollicutes from the reproductive tract of dairy cattle in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil / Recuperação de Mollicutes do trato reprodutivo de bovinos leiteiros no Estado de Pernambuco

The aim of the present study was to report the occurrence of members of the Mollicutesclass in the reproductive system of dairy cattle in Brazil. Five farms containing dairy cattle were visited in January of 2012. In total, 100 cows of different ages, breeds and stages of lactation were examined in the present study. The cows were part of intensive or semi-intensive management systems and were submitted to mechanical milking or hand milking. The samples were collected after washing the vulvar region with water and soap, and then drying it with paper towels and disinfecting the area with alcohol (70°GL). Vaginal mucous was collected using a sterile alginate cotton swab, which was rubbed on the vagina, as well as the lateral and internal walls. Vulvovaginal mucous samples were cultured in both liquid and solid modified Hayflick´s medium, for mycoplasmas, and UB medium, for ureaplasmas. The PCR assays for Mollicutesand Ureaplasmaspp. were performed according to the standard protocols described in the current literature. During isolation, the frequency of Mycoplasmaspp. was of 13.0% (13/100) and for Ureaplasmaspp. was of 6.0% (6/100). In the PCR assays the frequency of Mollicuteswas of 26.0% (26/100) and for Ureaplasmaspp. was of 13.0% (13/100) in the dairy cattle studied. This is the first report of these agents in reproductive system of bovine of the Pernambuco state. Further studies are necessary to determine the pathogenic potential and species of these field isolates.

O presente estudo relata a ocorrência de membros da Classe Mollicutesno sistema reprodutivo de bovinos leiteiros no Brasil. Foram visitadas em janeiros de 2012 cinco fazendas de bovinos leiteiros. Um total de 100 vacas de diferentes idades, raças e estágios de lactação foram examinadas. Os animais foram mantidos em sistema de manejo intensivo e/ou semi-intensivo, sendo submetidos aos sistemas de ordenha manual ou mecânica. As amostras de muco foram colhidas após a lavagem da região vulvar com água e sabão, com posterior desinfecção com álcool (70°GL). O muco vaginal foi colhido com suabe alginado estéril que foi friccionado nas paredes internas da vagina. Em seguida, as amostras foram cultivadas em meio Hayflick´s modificado, para micoplasmas, e em meio UB, para ureaplasmas, ambos caldo e placa. Os ensaios da PCR para Mollicutese Ureaplasmaspp. foram realizados de acordo com protocolo padrão descrito na literatura. No isolamento, a frequência de Mycoplasmaspp. foi de 13% (13/100) e para Ureaplasmaspp. foi de 6% (6/100). Nas reações da PCR a frequência para Mollicutesfoi de 26% (26/100) e para Ureaplasmas spp. foi de 13% (13/100) nos rebanhos bovinos leiteiros estudados. Este é o primeiro relato destes agentes no trato reprodutivo de bovinos no Estado de Pernambuco. Estudos adicionais são necessários para determinar as espécies e o potencial patogênico destes isolados de campo.

Detection, quantification and genetic variability of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae from apparently healthy and pneumonic swine / Detecção, quantificação e variabilidade genética de Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae a partir de suínos pneumônicos e aparentemente saudáveis

Molecular differences among Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae strains present in pneumonic lungs of swine have been largely studied. However, no comparative studies concerning the strains present in apparently healthy pigs have been carried out. This study aimed to detect, quantify and perform molecular analysis of M. hyopneumoniae strains in pig lungs with and without pneumonic lesions. The detection of M. hyopneumoniae was performed using multiplex PCR (YAMAGUTI, 2008), real-time PCR (STRAIT et al., 2008) and multiple VNTR amplification (VRANCKX et al., 2011). Molecular characterization of the strains was achieved by analysis of the VNTR copy number in P97R1, P146R3, H2R1 and H4. M. hyopneumoniae was detected in samples from healthy and pneumonic pigs and the amount of M. hyopneumoniae positive samples detected varied with the type of assay. The greater number of positive samples was identified by the multiple VNTR amplification combined with capillary electrophoresis. Using real-time PCR, 4.9*104 M. hyopneumoniae genome copies/mL was detected in apparently healthy lungs. A mean quantity of 3.9*106 M. hyopneumoniae genome copies/mL was detected in pneumonic lungs. The analysis of VNTR copy number demonstrated a high genetic variability of the M. hyopneumoniae strains present in apparently healthy and pneumonic lungs. Strains having 3 VNTR copy number in P97R1, were detected only in pneumonic lungs and strains having 40 and 43 VNTR copy number in P146R3 were detected only in apparently healthy lungs. Despite the genetic variability of M. hyopneumoniae, predominant strains in the swine farms could be identified...

As diferenças moleculares entre as estirpes de Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae presentes em pulmões de suínos com pneumonia tem sido estudadas. Porém, estudos comparativos relativos as estirpes presentes nos suínos aparentemente saudáveis não foram levados a cabo. O objetivo do estudo foi a detecção, quantificação e analise molecular de M. hyopneumoniae nos pulmões suínos com e sem lesões pneumônicas. Para a detecção de M. hyopneumoniae usaramse o PCR Multiplo (YAMAGUTI, 2008), o PCR a Tempo Real (STRAIT et al., 2008) e a amplificação de múltiplo VNTR (VRANCKX et al., 2011). A caracterização molecular das estirpes foi realizada mediante a análise do número de copias de VNTR em P97R1, P146R3, H2R1 e H4. O M. hyopneumoniae foi detectado em amostras de suínos saudáveis e pneumônicos e a quantidade de M. hyopneumoniae nas amostras positivas variou com o tipo de ensaio. O maior número de amostras positivas foi identificado pela amplificação de múltiplas VNTR combinado com a eletroforese de capilares. Usando o PCR a Tempo Real, 4.9*104 copias de genoma/mL de M. hyopneumoniae foram detectadas em pulmões aparentemente saudáveis. Uma quantidade média de 3.9*106 copias de genoma/mL de M. hyopneumoniae foi detectada em pulmões pneumônicos. A análise do número de copias de VNTR demonstrou uma elevada variabilidade...

Detección de Mycoplasma canadense y Mycoplasma californicum en ganado lechero de Argentina / Detection of Mycoplasma canadense and Mycoplasma californicum in dairy cattle from Argentina

Diferentes especies del género Mycoplasma pueden afectar al ganado bovino y causar varias enfermedades. La técnica de PCR, secuenciación y posterior análisis de la región ITS 16S-23S ARNr ha mostrado que existe una importante variabilidad interespecies entre Mollicutes. Se realizó la amplificación (región ITS 16S-23S ARNr) de 16 aislamientos sospechosos de corresponder a alguna especie de Mycoplasma, que habían sido obtenidos de muestras de leche provenientes de rodeos lecheros. Catorce de esos aislamientos fueron PCR positivos. Para confirmar la identidad de Mycoplasma bovis, dichos aislamientos fueron evaluados por otra PCR especie-específica. Siete aislamientos dieron un resultado positivo. Los productos de la PCR de la ITS 16S-23S ARNr de un aislamiento identificado como M. bovis y de otros dos aislamientos identificados como no-M. bovis fueron seleccionados al azar, secuenciados y analizados. Las tres secuencias (A, B y C) mostraron 100 % de similitud con cepas de M. bovis, Mycoplasma canadense y Mycoplasma californicum, respectivamente

Different species of Mycoplasma can affect bovine cattle, causing several diseases. PCR sequencing and further analysis of the 16S-23S rRNA ITS region have shown a significant interspecies variability among Mollicutes. Sixteen suspected isolates of Mycoplasma spp. obtained from milk samples from dairy herds were amplified (16S-23S rRNA ITS region). Fourteen out of those 16 suspected Mycoplasma spp. isolates were PCR-positive. To confirm the identity of Mycoplasma bovis, these 14 isolates were tested by another species-specific PCR. Seven of the isolates rendered a positive result. The products of 16S-23S rRNA ITS PCR from one isolate that was identified as M. bovis and from two other isolates, identified as non- M. bovis were randomly selected, sequenced and analyzed. The three sequences (A, B and C) showed 100% similarity with M. bovis, Mycoplasma canadense and Mycoplasma californicum respectively

Ocorrência de Mollicutes e Ureaplasma spp. em surto de doença reprodutiva em rebanho bovino no Estado da Paraíba / Occurrence of Mollicutes and Ureaplasma spp. in outbreak of reproductive disease in cattle herds, State of Paraíba, Brazil

Em março de 2012 foi diagnosticado um surto de doença reprodutiva em rebanho bovino no Estado da Paraíba, Brasil. Foram examinadas 32 vacas e dois touros da raça Girolando. As vacas apresentaram sinais de doença reprodutiva como repetição de cio, vulvovaginite granular, infertilidade e abortos. As amostras de suabes vaginais e prepuciais foram colhidas e submetidas a isolamento bacteriano e PCR. As reações da PCR para Mollicutes e Ureaplasma spp. foram realizadas com os iniciadores MGSO-GPO3 e UGP'F-UGP'R, respectivamente. Na Nested PCR para Ureaplasma diversum, os iniciadores usados foram UD1, UD2, UD3 e UD4. Para isolamento bacteriano, as amostras foram diluídas de 10-1 até 10-5, semeadas em meio "UB", líquido e placa, sendo incubadas por até 21 dias a 37ºC em jarra de microaerofilia. A frequência de Mollicutes detectada na PCR foi de 65,6% e para Ureaplasma spp. foi de 50,0%, enquanto que para U. diversum foi de 15,6%. No isolamento a frequência de Mollicutes foi de 57,1% e para Ureaplasma spp. foi de 28,6%. No ágar "UB" foi visualizado o crescimento misto de Mycoplasma spp. e Ureaplasma spp. em seis amostras. Foi confirmado o envolvimento de micro-organismos da Classe Mollicutes em surto de doença reprodutiva em vacas no sertão paraibano.

In March of 2012 was investigated a reproductive disease outbreak in cattle herds from Paraíba State, Brazil. Were examined 32 cows and two bulls Giroland breed. The cows showed signs and symptoms of reproductive failure such as repeat breeding, granular vulvovaginitis, infertility and abortions. Vaginal and preputial mucous samples were collected for analysis by PCR and isolation. The PCR reactions for Mollicutes and Ureaplasma spp. were realized with primers MGSO and GPO3, and UGP'F and UGP'R respectively. The nested PCR assay for Ureaplasma diversum was realized with primers UD1, UD2, UD3 and UD4. For bacteriologic isolation, obtained samples were diluted up to 10-1 at 10-5, inoculated into liquid and solid "UB" medium, and incubated for up to 21 days, at 37ºC in microaerophilie jar. In the PCR reactions the frequency of Mollicutes detected in the analyzed vaginal mucous samples was 65.6, for Ureaplasma spp. was 50.0, while for U. diversum was 15.6. The frequency for isolation of Mollicutes was of 57.1 and for Ureaplasma spp. was of 28.6. In the UB agar was visualized growth of Mycoplasma spp. and Ureaplasma spp., associated in six of the samples. In the cows the presence of Mollicutes and Ureaplasma spp. was confirmed for the reproductive disease outbreak in the semiarid region of Paraiba.

O exame do sêmen na infertilidade masculina: V-exame microbiológico / The microbiological examination of the sêmen to evaluate male infertility

Neste artigo, o autor revisa o papel do exame microbiológico do sêmen para avaliar infertilidade masculina. São descritos os efeitos negativos de bactérias aeróbicas e anaeróbicas, micoplasmas, fungos, Trichomonas sp., Chlamydia trachomatis, Gardnerellavaginalis e Mobiluncus sp. na qualidade do sêmen. A influência de leucocitospermia e bacteriospermia também é revisada. Simultaneamente,também são feitas algumas considerações sobre metodologias atualmente usadas para investigar estes microrganismos no sêmen.

In this article, the author reviews the role of the microbiological examination of the semen to evaluate male infertility.They are described negative effects of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, mycoplasmas, fungi, Trichomonas sp., Chlamydia trachomatis, Gardnerella vaginalis and Mobiluncus sp. on the semen quality. Influence of leukocytosp.ermia, and bacteriosp.ermia are also reviewed. Simultaneously, they are also made some considerations about methodologies currently used to investigate these microorganismson semen.

Detección de contaminación por Mollicutes en cultivos celulares mediante amplificación del gen 16S rARN / Detection of mollicutes contamination in cell cultyures by 16S rRNA amplification

La contaminacion de los cultivos celulares por Mollicutes es un hecho frecuente en los laboratorios, reportándose hasta un 80% de cultivos contaminados, lo que resulta en ensayos experimentales poco confiables y en productos biológicos poco seguros. Los objetivos del presente estudio fueron: estimar la frecuencia de micoplasmas como contaminantes de cultivos celulares y analizar la eficiencia de un ensayo de PCR que emplea como ADN blanco al gen 16S rARN de los Mollicutes. Se estudiaron 39 cultivos celulares primarios, recibidos para análisis de contaminación, entre julio y diciembre de 2005. Se detectaron micoplasmas en 18/39 (46,2%) cultivos de lineas celulares, mientras que no se detectaron micoplasmas en los cultivos celulares primarios. El análisis mediante Hpall del espacio intergénico 16S- 23S rARN de 6 cultivos positivos determinó dos patrones de restrición. La secuenciación del ADN de dos amplicones identifico a Mycoplasma hyorhinis y a Mycoplasma salivarium como micoplasmas contaminantes. La sensibilidad analítica de la PCR, determinada a partir de diluciones de un cultivo de Mycoplasma hominis fue 0,01 u.c.c./mL (unidades cambiadoras de color por mL), mientras que su especificidad analitica fue 100%. Los resultados de este estudio confirman la importancia de los micoplasmas como contaminantes de cultivos celulares y sugieren que la PCR dirigida al gen 16S rARN es un procedimiento útil para el diagnótico de estos microorganismos.

Detection of multiple mycoplasma infection in cell cultures by PCR

A total of 301 cell cultures from 15 laboratories were monitored for mycoplasma (Mollicutes) using PCR and culture methodology. The infection was detected in the cell culture collection of 12 laboratories. PCR for Mollicutes detected these bacteria in 93 (30.9 percent) samples. Although the infection was confirmed by culture for 69 (22.9 percent) samples, PCR with generic primers did not detect the infection in five (5.4 percent). Mycoplasma species were identified with specific primers in 91 (30.2 percent) of the 98 samples (32.6 percent) considered to be infected. Mycoplasma hyorhinis was detected in 63.3 percent of the infected samples, M. arginini in 59.2 percent, Acholeplasma laidlawii in 20.4 percent, M. fermentans in 14.3 percent, M. orale in 11.2 percent, and M. salivarium in 8.2 percent. Sixty (61.2 percent) samples were co-infected with more than one mycoplasma species. M. hyorhinis and M. arginini were the microorganisms most frequently found in combination, having been detected in 30 (30.6 percent) samples and other associations including up to four species were detected in 30 other samples. Failure of the treatments used to eliminate mycoplasmas from cell cultures might be explained by the occurrence of these multiple infections. The present results indicate that the sharing of non-certified cells among laboratories may disseminate mycoplasma in cell cultures.

Desenvolvimento de plasmídeos replicativos artificiais para transformaçäo de Mycoplasma pulmonis, M. capricolum e M. mycoides subsp. mycoides, e dirupçäo do gene da hemolisina A de M. pulmonis por recombinaçäo homóloga / Development of artificial replicative plasmids for transformation of Mycoplasma pulmonis, M. capricolum and M. mycoides subsp. mycoides, and diruption of the M. pulmonis hemolysin A gene by homologous recombination

Os micoplasmas säo os menores microrganismos capazes de autoreplicaçäo conhecidos na natureza, responsáveis por uma série de doenças no homem e nos animais, infectando ainda plantas e insetos. Constituem um grande grupo de bactérias, ordenadas em diferentes gêneros na classe Mollicutes, cuja principal característica em comum, além do genoma reduzido, é a ausência de parede celular. Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC, reponsável pela Pleuropneumonia Contagiosa Bovina, foi o primeiro microrganismo desta classe de bactériasa ser identificado. Esta é uma doença bastante grave, com altas taxas de morbidade e mortalidade. A variedade Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides LC é responsável...

Detección por técnicas de biología molecular de Mycoplasma hominis y Ureaplasma urealyticum en muestras urogenitales / Detection by molecular biology techniques of Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum in urogenital samples

Mycoplasma homonis y Ureaplasma urealyticum están estrechamente relacionadas con enfermedades del tracto urogenital como pielonefritis, uretritis no-gonocóccica, cálculos urinarios, epididimitis, inflamaciones pélvicas, infertilidad, abortos y fiebre post-parto; en recién nacidos también pueden causar neumonías y meningitis. Estas bacterias pueden ser diagnosticadas por diferentes métodos. En este trabajo utilizamos la hibridación de ácidos nucléicos y la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa para analizar 22 muestras de pacientes con diferentes síntomas urogenitales, en busca de micoplasmas y ureaplasmas. Como resultado obtuvimos 10 muestras positivas y 12 negativas. Entre las muestras positivas se identificaron 2 como Mycoplasma hominis, 2 como Ureaplasma urealyticum y 6 con ambas especies. los resultados obtenidos por las técnicas moleculares fueron comparados con los métodos de referencia, encontrándose en 18 muestras resultados coincidentes, mientras que en 4 los resultados fueron discordantes, siendo esta diferencia estadísticamente no significativa

Presence of Mycoplasma DNA in Ovarian Cancer Tissue: Detection by PCR-ELISA Technique / 대한부인종양콜포스코피학회잡지

Mycoplasmas, cell wall-less bacteria of class Mollicutes, are among the smallest self-replicating organisms known and reside ubiquitously at the cell membrane or internalized into the cell. They mimic viruses in many of their activities and further they may have oncogenic activity. The oncogenic potential of mycoplasmas was only recently realized when they were shown to cause chromosomal changes and in vitro cell transformations through gradual progressive chromosomal loss and translocations. The association between these organisms and human cancers has been evaluated and actually mycoplasmas were detected in 50% of gastric cancers. In gynecologic cancer, one study demonstrated a 59.3% prevalence rate of mycoplasmas in malignant ovarian tumors but the explanations for the association between the organisms and ovarian cancer might be somewhat confusing, at least in part, due to absence of normal control. The present objective was to determine the presence of mycoplasma DNA in ovarian cancer tissues and normal ovary in Korea. Fresh frozen tissue samples stored at -72 degrees C were used for mycoplasma DNA assay. The study materials comprised twenty-nine human ovarian cancer tissues and ten normal ovarian tissues. After extraction of DNA, the combined PCR-ELISA(polymerase chain reaction and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) procedure was performed with consensus primers targeting for 15 species of mycoplasmas and acholeplasmas together with negative and positive controls, which was known as very sensitive method. The results showed mycoplasma DNA were present in none of normal ovarian tissue and in 13.8%(4 of 29) of the ovarian cancer specimens, which is much lower than that of the previousstudy. Three positive cases showed very strong reactivities, but there was no significant correlation between presence of mycoplasma DNA and the clinicopathological characteristics of the patients. These results suggest that mycoplasma can not be the contributor in the mechanism of carcinogenesis in the most of ovarian cancers in Korea, but the association between mycoplasma and ovarian cancer is worth to be investigated.

Experimental infection of rat (Rattus norvigus, strain Wistar) mammary gland by Mollicutes from the bovine udders.

Seven isolates of Mollicutes, Mycoplasma F-38; M. mycoides var. capri; mixed isolates of M. bovigenitalium and M. bovirhinis; M. bovigenitalium, Mycoplasma F-38 and M. bovirhinis; M. bovis, M. bovigenitalium, Mycoplasma F-38 and A. laidlawii; A. axanthum; A. laidlawii from bovine udders and a M. bovis type strain (NCTC-10131) produced significant histopathological changes characterized by infiltration of neutrophils in lumen of acini, interlobular and intralobular ducts along with the hyperplasia of lining cells of acini, interlobular and intralobular ducts and infiltration of mononuclear cells and fibroblasts in interstitium in the mammary gland of rat suggestive of mastitis. A. laidlawii and A. axanthum produced only mild changes suggestive of their negligible role in the bovine mastitis. Rat mammary gland is recommended as a suitable in vivo experimental laboratory model to screen the mastitogenic potential of Mollicutes.

Experimental pathogenicity of Mollicutes of bovine udder origin in hamster tracheal ring organ culture.

Hamster tracheal-ring organ culture was employed to examine pathogenic effects of 8 isolates of Mollicutes of bovine udder origin. The tested Mollicutes could be categorized into two groups: (i) Mycoplasma F-38, M. mycoides var. capri, M. bovigenitalium mixed with M. bovirhinis, and M. bovigenitalium mixed with M. bovirhinis and Mycoplasma F-38 produced significant ciliostatic effect and infiltration of neutrophils and lymphocytes in lamina propria/subepithelium, hyperplasia and desquamation of epithelial lining cells and loss of cilia; and (ii) A. laidlawii, A. axanthum, an unidentified Acholeplasma and a mixed isolate of M. bovis, M. bovigenitalium, Mycoplasma F-38 and A. laidlawii showed insignificant ciliostatic effects and produced mild histopathological lesions. This correlates with the disease causing potentials of the strains.

Experimental pathogenicity of mollicutes from bovines with reproductive disorders in rabbit fallopian tube organ culture.

Mollicutes (10) belonging to Mycoplasma and Acholeplasma isolated from various reproductive disorders were tested in rabbit fallopian tube (FT) organ culture. Parameter for describing pathogenic status of Mollicutes in rabbit FT organ culture included multiplication of organisms, and its effect on ciliary activity along with histopathological changes in FT explants. M. mycoides (LC, Y-Goat), M. bovoculi, M. bovigenitalium, Mycoplasma sp. and A. oculi were categorized as pathogenic; A. axanthum and A. laidlawii as mildly pathogenic; and M. bovis, M. arginini. and A. granularum, as nonpathogenic to rabbit FT organ culture. Thus, rabbit FT organ culture is recommended for use as a suitable and economical in vitro model to assess the pathogenicity of Mollicutes of reproductive tract origin.