Isolation and identification of avian mycoplasmas in Singapore.

Two hundred and forty batches of chickens with chronic respiratory syndrome were tested for mycoplasmas. One hundred and five batches (43.8%) were found to have mycoplasmosis. A total of 110 isolates of mycoplasma was cultured, of which nine isolates were identified as Mycoplasma gallisepticum, 48 avian sero-group D, 45 M. gallinarum, one M. iners and seven unclassified. 2. Identification of the mycoplasmas isolated was carried out by biochemical and serological tests (disc growth inhibition and agar gel diffusion tests). A modified agar gel diffusion test using solubilised antigens with sodium deoxycholate-glucose solution was developed for serotying of mycoplasmas.     

巢式PCR在动物疫苗支原体污染检测中的应用

在动物疫苗研制过程中,应用巢式PCR方法,设计两套引物,扩增支原体16S与23SrRNA基因间隔区序列,可以检测造成细胞污染的常见支原体种类。本试验应用该方法检测三批样品和阴性对照均无特异性目标条带,即三批疫苗样品支原体检测均为阴性。阳性对照样品在200-400bp之间出现特异性目标条带,实验表明所建立的巢式PCIL方法是一种快捷、灵敏、准确的检测方法,可以用于检测动物疫苗细胞培养物中支原体污染。     

Evaluation of growth of avian mycoplasmas on bile salt agar and in bile broth

All nine Mycoplasma iowae strains and one strain of M gallinarum grew on 0.05 per cent 'bile' agar medium. The colony size of M iowae on this agar medium was similar to the size obtained on bile-free mycoplasma agar. One strain each of M maculosum, M arginini and M bovis also grew on 0.05 per cent bile agar. However, one strain each of M gallisepticum and M meleagridis were inhibited at this concentration. Six of the nine strains of M iowae were also resistant to 1 per cent 'bile' in broth medium but all were resistant to 0.5 per cent. The resistance of M iowae to 0.5 per cent 'bile' in broth may be a useful characteristic for differentiating it from some of the other avian mycoplasmas.     

Mycoplasma canis and urogenital disease in dogs in Norway

Mycoplasmas identified as Mycoplasma canis were isolated from nine dogs with clinical signs of urogenital disease in Norway over a period of 20 months. Some of the dogs had been treated unsuccessfully with antibiotics, and three were euthanased as a result of severe persistent disease. Seven of the dogs had a urinary tract infection, one had chronic purulent epididymitis and one had chronic prostatitis. Overt haematuria was frequently observed among the dogs with cystitis. M canis was isolated in pure culture from seven of the dogs and in mixed culture from the other two. In three cases the mycoplasma was cultivated only from urinary sediment, and it was typically obtained in smaller numbers than would be considered indicative of a urinary tract infection. In contrast with most mycoplasmas, the M canis isolated from all the dogs grew on ordinary blood agar plates used for routine bacteriological cultivation. Specific mycoplasma media were not used and the presence of other Mycoplasma or Ureaplasma species cannot be excluded.     

The "in vitro" effect of antibiotics on mycoplasmas under conditions of the preparation of bull sperm

Bull sperm was experimentally contaminated with Mycoplasma (M.) bovis, M. bovigenitalium, and Acholeplasma laidlawii (10(5) colony-forming units/ml sperm). Antibiotics were tested for their effectiveness under conditions of preparation of sperm for artificial insemination, primarily for their capability of killing all mycoplasma by the end of sperm equilibration (cooling to +4 degrees C within 5 h). Mycoplasma decontamination was achievable only by means of nourseothricin and lincospectin, in a concentration of 0.8 mg/ml sperm diluent which did not yet impair bull sperm vitality.     

Diagnostic experiences in the routine restrained inspection of turkey stock for mycoplasma infections

A combined culturing medium has been developed and has proved to clearly increase rates of detection of avian mycoplasmas, as compared to mycoplasma culturing media previously used in the GDR. The medium can be used to culture all mycoplasma species relevant to turkey. Experimental studies have shown that pH values should be between 7.0 and 7.2 in liquid culturing media and should not exceed 7.2 in mycoplasma agar, in order to be capable of isolating, in cases of mixed infections, not only Mycoplasma (M.) meleagridis but also M. gallisepticum. Culturing media should be incubated at 38.5 degrees C. The living animal should best be diagnosed by examination of palatine and cloacal swabs, with sperm being additionally checked of insemination cocks. A monitoring programme has been drafted for mycoplasma-free broods of turkey parents.     

The experimental infection of specific pathogen free lambs with Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae.

Six colostrum-deprived SPF lambs inoculated endobronchially with a second passage broth culture of a Scottish strain of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, were killed in batches of two at seven, 14 and 28 days post-inoculation. One lamb from each batch showed macroscopic and microscopic lung lesions similar to but milder than those described for respiratory mycoplasmoses in other species of animals and exhibited minor clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma were recovered from all infected but from no control animals: five infected lambs yielded mycoplasma from lung tissue. Two lambs infected with M ovipneumoniae by endobronchial intubation were placed in contact with six other SPF lambs. M ovipneumoniae was recovered from the upper respiratory tract only of all six contact lambs, but no pathological changes were noted in their lungs. Both donor lambs yielded mycoplasma from lung tissue, but microscopic lesions were detected in only one of them, and these were minimal. No seroconversion due to the infection could be demonstrated in any of the lambs by either the indirect haemagglutination or metabolic inhibition tests.     

Mycoplasmas isolated from the respiratory tract of cattle and goats in Tanzania

A microbiological study of the mycoplasma flora in the respiratory tracts of cattle and goats in selected regions of Tanzania is described. In the examination of cattle, mycoplasmas were isolated from 60 (17.8%) of the 338 examined lung samples, 8 (47.1%) of the 17 lymph nodes, 4 (13.3%) of the 30 pleural fluid samples and 4 (3.9%) of the 103 nasal swabs examined. All the isolates were identified as Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides, Small Colony type except for one isolate from pleural fluid which was identified as Mycoplasma arginini. M. mycoides subsp. mycoides, Small Colony type was isolated from samples originating from Dodoma, Iringa, Mbeya, Morogoro and Shinyanga regions where outbreaks of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia had been reported. In the examination of goats, mycoplasmas were isolated from 54 (34.0%) of the 159 examined lung samples, 41 (18.1%) of the 226 nasal swabs and 4 (40.0%) of the 10 pleural fluid samples. The species demonstrated were Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae, M. mycoides subsp. mycoides, Small Colony type Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae and M. Capricolum subsp. arginini. The isolation of M. capripneumoniae in the Coast and Morogoro regions confirmed the presence of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia in the regions.     

Bulk tank milk analysis: factors associated with appearance of Mycoplasma sp. in milk

Factors associated with the presence of Mycoplasma sp. in bulk tank milk samples were evaluated from 664 herds during 2.25 years. Milk quality components were not strongly related to the presence of Mycoplasma sp. in bulk tank milk. The presence of other contagious mastitis pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae, was also not related to the presence of mycoplasma, suggesting that the aetiology and transmission of mycoplasma mastitis were different from transmission of other contagious mastitis pathogens. The occurrence of the first isolation of mycoplasma from a bulk tank was not correlated to season of the year. Mycoplasma in bulk tank milk samples were more likely to be found in herds shipping more milk, an indirect measure of herd size. This suggests that larger herds are more likely to have mycoplasma mastitis. However, the first appearance of mycoplasma mastitis in a bulk tank sample was followed by a sample without this pathogen in more than 60% of herds. Mycoplasma sp. was not detected in any herd a year after first isolation. These findings suggest that this pathogen could be controlled and eliminated from herds.     

Identification by culture, PCR, and immunohistochemistry of mycoplasmas and their molecular typing in sheep and lamb lungs with pneumonia in Eastern Turkey

This study used cultures, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and immunoperoxidase to examine samples from 216 lungs from sheep and lambs with macroscopic pneumonia lesions for the presence of Mycoplasma species. DNA was extracted from lung tissue samples and broth cultures with the help of a DNA extraction kit and replicated using genus-specific and species-specific primers for mycoplasma. The lung samples were examined by the immunoperoxidase method using hyperimmune Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae serum. The randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) test was used for the molecular typing of M. ovipneumoniae isolates. Mycoplasma was isolated in the cultures of 80 (37.03 %) of a total of 216 lung samples. Genus-specific mycoplasma DNA was identified by PCR in 96 (44.44 %) samples in broth cultures and 36 (16.66 %) directly in the lung tissue. Of these 96 cases in which genus-specific identification was made, 57 (59.37 %) were positive for reaction with species-specific primers for M. ovipneumoniae and 31 (32.29 %) for Mycoplasma arginini. The DNA of neither of the latter two species could be identified in the remaining eight samples (8.33 %) where mycoplasma had been identified. As for the immunoperoxidase method, it identified M. ovipneumoniae in 61 of 216 lung samples (28 %). Positive staining was concentrated in the bronchial epithelium cell cytoplasm and cell surface. RAPD analysis resulted in 15 different profiles. Our results suggest that PCR methods could be successfully used in the diagnosis of mycoplasma infections as an alternative to culture method and identifying this agent at the species level.     

Development of specific technics for the prevention of mycoplasma infections in swine

Four experimental series were run in 2 experiments with 44 unweaned piglets to test non-inactivated vaccine from ts-mutant M-60 of Mycoplasma (M.) arginini and from attenuated strains of CH-2 M. hyorhinis, EP-29 M. hyosynoviae, M. suipneumoniae, and B-1 Acholeplasma laidlawii. Similar deviations of clinical and immunological parameters were recorded from piglets inoculated with the above vaccine and infected with pathogenic mycoplasma cultures. These deviations, however, were less strongly pronounced in animals which had been inoculated. Mycoplasma species were re-isolated from bronchial lymph nodes and lungs of 62.5% of inoculated piglets. Lasting residual virulence was recorded from the attenuated mycoplasma strains. That residual virulence had no substantial impact upon growth and development of the piglets under laboratory conditions, throughout the period of observation. The above results are likely to suggest the advisability of further studies for the development of a vaccine from ts-mutants and attenuated strains of pathogens of mycoplasmosis in swine.     

Patterns of mycoplasma shedding in the milk of dairy cows with intramammary mycoplasma infection

OBJECTIVE: To determine patterns of mycoplasma shedding in the milk of dairy cows with intramammary mycoplasma infection. DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS: 10 Holstein cows with intramammary mycoplasma infection. PROCEDURE: Milk samples were collected from each cow daily for 28 days and plated on mycoplasma agar to evaluate shedding patterns. To determine whether enrichment improved recovery of organisms, some samples were also inoculated in mycoplasma enrichment medium and incubated for 4 days prior to plating. Somatic cell count (SCC) was determined in samples collected weekly. RESULTS: Mycoplasma organisms were not isolated from 81 of 280 (29%) composite milk samples, but > 10(6) colonies/mL were obtained from 151 (54%). Similarly, mycoplasma organisms were not isolated from 433 of 1,008 (43%) quarter milk samples, but > 10(6) colonies/mL were obtained from 392 (39%). For 71 of 104 (68%) samples, mycoplasma organisms were isolated both following direct plating and following enrichment; for 24 of 104 (23%), mycoplasma organisms were isolated only following enrichment; and for 9 of 104 (9%), mycoplasma organisms were isolated only after direct plating. There was a linear correlation between logarithm of the SCC and logarithm of the number of colony-forming units of mycoplasma per milliliter of milk for composite and quarter milk samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Shedding of organisms was inconsistent in dairy cows with intramammary mycoplasma infection, increasing the risk of misdiagnosis if multiple milk samples are not tested.     

Evaluation of a digitonin disk assay to discriminate between acholeplasma and mycoplasma isolates from bovine milk

A study was undertaken to evaluate effectiveness of a digitonin disk inhibition test to discriminate between Acholeplasma laidlawii and Mycoplasma sp. isolated from bovine milk. The test measured zone diameters of growth inhibition surrounding a digitonin-containing disk on solid medium. Zones of inhibition for 20 isolates of A. laidlawii, ranging from 8-14 mm, did not overlap those of 261 isolates of Mycoplasma sp., ranging from 16 to 38 mm. Examination of variation in zone diameters for M. bovis found that inhibition was not appreciably affected by agar dehydration. Zones of inhibition increased with increasing dilutions of stock culture and decreased with increasing incubation time. Analysis of variance and Fisher's least significant difference test of logn zone diameters revealed that differences in mean logn zone diameters were different at the 0.01 level of significance between some of the six species of mycoplasma examined, indicating that growth among some species of mycoplasma was effected differently by digitonin. The digitonin test was found to clearly discriminate between A. laidlawii and Mycoplasma sp. indicating that the test would be useful as a practical screening test of individual-cow and bulk tank milk for mycoplasmas.     

The incidence of Mycoplasma dispar, Ureaplasma and conventional Mycoplasma in the pneumonic calf lung.

This report describes the incidence of Mycoplasma dispar, ureaplasma and conventional (large colony) mycoplasma isolated from the pneumonic lungs of groups of young calves and the identification to species level of mycoplasmas in mixed populations with the aid of the indirect fluorescent antibody test. Pneumonic lung tissue yielded one or more mycoplasma species from 88% of the 153 calves cultured. The mycoplasmas identified and percent of the calves with lungs positive for each species were: M. dispar (56%), ureaplasma (44%), Mycoplasma bovis (37%), Mycoplasma arginini (33%) and Mycoplasma bovirhinis (23%). Conventional mycoplasmas isolated from two calves (1%) could not be identified using the antisera available.     

Mycoplasma as a cause of canine urinary tract infection

Mycoplasmas were isolated from 60 specimens of urine obtained by cystocentesis from 41 dogs (23 males and 18 females) with urinary tract infection. Mycoplasmas were isolated in pure culture from 41 (68%) of the specimens, and were isolated in conjunction with one or more bacterial species from 19 (32%) specimens. Clinical signs of urinary tract infection were noted in 20 of 31 dogs in which mycoplasmas were isolated in pure culture, and numbers of WBC in the urine sediment were above the reported normal range in 22 of 25 urine specimens from those 20 dogs. Twenty-four of 29 mycoplasma isolates were found to be Mycoplasma canis, 4 were found to be M spumans, and 1 was identified as M cynos.     

国内火鸡体内霉形体的分离与鉴定

从北京和呼和浩特市4个火鸡场的95只火鸡、50只火鸡胚和42份精液样品中分离到15个分离物,用国际霉形体分类分会推荐的生化、遗传学和血清学方法证明其中有两个分离物是两种霉形体混合物,共17株霉形体。所有分离物在无抑菌剂的培养基上连续传代5次未出现细菌形态、对毛地黄皂苷敏感、不水解尿素、DNA的G C含量介于26-34mol％之间。生长抑制试验和间接表面免疫荧光技术的试验结果将其中的15个株分属于霉形体属的5个种,即鸡毒霉形体(Mycoplasma gallisepticum)4株、滑液霉形体(M.synoviae)2株、衣阿华霉形体(M.iowae)1株、鸡霉形体(M.gallinarum)和雏鸡霉形体(M.pullorum)各4株。其余2株也属霉形体属,但尚未鉴定到种。     

Mycoplasma species recovered from the reproductive tracts of western Canadian cows.

Samples of cervico-vaginal mucus from 633 animals from 110 herds were cultured and yielded the following mycoplasmas: T-strain--88: Mycoplasma bovigenitalium--79, Mycoplasma spp. (Leach Group 7)--7, Acholeplasma laidlawii--4, Mycoplasma bovirhinis--2 and one not typable. Uterine exudates and endometrial scrapings from 80 infertile cows in two herds were examined. Four animals were positive, M. bovigenitalium was isolated three times, A. laidlawii and Mycoplasma arginini once each. Sixty-five normal uterine contents from pregnant cows were examined, one yielded M. bovigenigalium and the same organism was recovered from the fetal kidney. T-strain mycoplasma, M. bovigenitalium and other Mycoplasma spp. appear to be a part of the normal flora of the cervico-vaginal region of clinically normal one and two year old bred heifers in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Although M. arginini was not recovered from the cervico-vaginal region, a single recovery was made from the uterus of an infertile cow.     

Prevalence of mycoplasmas in the respiratory tracts of pneumonic calves.

The prevalence of mycoplasmas in the respiratory tracts of 148 pneumonic calves originating from 25 herds in the Netherlands is reported. Four types of culture media were used to isolate mycoplasmas: solid modified Edward medium, 2 types of Friis media, and A7B differential agar medium. Mycoplasmas were isolated both from nasal swab specimens and lung lavage fluids collected from live calves and from nasal mucosa and lung tissue specimens collected post mortem. All of the mycoplasma strains isolated could be identified as either Ureaplasma diversum (isolated from 80% of 25 herds), Mycoplasma dispar (92%), M. bovirhinis (88%), M. bovis (20%), M. bovigenitalium (4%), M. arginini (16%), or M. canis (12%). Isolation rates of M. dispar and U. diversum were considerably higher from lung lavage fluids than from nasal swab specimens. M. bovis was detected only in fattening herds and not in dairy herds. The respiratory tracts of 75% of the calves examined contained at least 2 mycoplasma species. In total, 25 different combinations of mycoplasma species were detected in specimens collected from noses and lungs. The pathogenic species U. diversum and M. dispar had not been isolated before in the Netherlands.     

四种禽源支原体核酸限制性酶切图谱分析

以ＥｃｏＲＩ、ＨｉｎｄＩＩ酶解四种禽源支原体基因组ＤＮＡ所获得的片段用琼脂糖凝胶进行电泳。结果表明,四种禽源支原体基因组ＤＮＡ经上述酶切后所获得的片段图谱有很大的差异性,表明它们之间的相关性很小;８个鸡毒支原体菌株ＤＮＡ经酶切、电泳后所获得的片段亦具有相对的差异性,说明酶切图谱分析不适用于禽类支原体种的鉴定。由于该技术有很高的分辨率,可以区分同种不同株之间的基因差异,因此,这种技术对禽类支原体病流行病学研究很有意义,并为今后禽源支原体分子生物学研究打下了基础。     

The effect of Mycoplasma bovis on fertilization processes in vitro with bull spermatozoa and zona-free hamster oocytes

The effect of Mycoplasma bovis (Donetta strain) on the ability of bull spermatozoa to interact with zona pellucida-free hamster oocytes was studied in an in vitro assay. Ejaculates of semen from a fertile Holstein bull were used fresh on the day of collection (unextended semen) as well as diluted with egg yolk-citrate and used the following day (extended semen). The addition of M. bovis to both unextended and extended semen at a mycoplasma to sperm cell ratio of 10:1 significantly reduced sperm penetration rates and the mean number of sperm per penetrated egg. Similarly, the ability of spermatozoa to form pronuclei and the activation of penetrated oocytes were adversely affected by M. bovis. No apparent effect on sperm motility was detected. When M. bovis was added to the oocytes, there was a marked reduction in the sperm penetration rates and fertilization processes suggesting that the organism affects certain oocyte function(s). The results indicate that the presence of M. bovis in semen or in the female reproductive tract may affect fertilization. Moreover, the in vitro assay with hamster oocytes was found to be useful for demonstrating the effects of contaminating microbial agents on bovine fertilization processes.