| Abstract: | Cloned cultures of 16 strains, representing nine different species of Mycoplasma and Acholeplasma, were inoculated intratracheally into gnotobiotic calves. Strains of M bovirhinis, M canadense, M verecundum, A axanthum and A modicum did not produce visible pneumonic lesions and were not reisolated from the lungs. Strains of M alkalescens and M arginini colonised the lower respiratory tract but failed to produce visible pneumonia. M bovigenitalium (strain M991/70) and M dispar (strain Gri226) both colonised the respiratory tract and induced pneumonic lesions estimated to involve up to 8 per cent (M bovigenitalium) and 17 per cent (M dispar) of the lung. Histologically M bovigenitalium produced a cuffing pneumonia and M dispar produced a interstitial alveolitis. |
