The survival and recognition ofMycoplasma meleagridisgrown at 37°c and then maintained at room temperature

Abstract

This study was made because of the difficulty of resuscitating Mycoplasma meleagridis from agar cultures received from the field. The type strain of Mm was found viable following culture at 37 degrees C for as long as 10 days and maintenance at room temperature for a further 14 days but only when few colonies were present in the original culture. It is suggested that for the satisfactory subculture of this organism the original culture on mycoplasma agar should not exceed 1 week, or no more than a few days should the colonies appear after this time, and that the period at room temperature should also not exceed 1 week. Non-viable colonies, if small, may however be recognised by immunofluorescence.