Presence Of Mycoplasma Research Articles

Estimating the prevalence of coinfection with influenza virus and the atypical bacteria Bordetella pertussis, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Coinfections with common bacterial respiratory pathogens and influenza viruses are well-known causes of disease, often via synergistic interactions between the influenza virus, the bacteria, and the human host. However, relatively little is known about interactions between atypical bacteria and influenza viruses. A recent report by Reinton et al. explored this issue by analyzing data from 3,661 patients seeking medical assistance for the presence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, and Bordetella pertussis, as well as influenza A or B virus in nasal swab specimens. The report, however, did not accurately assess the epidemiologic interactions of these pathogens. We aimed to describe the interactions between these bacterial species and influenza infections. Strong and highly statistically significant antagonistic interspecies interactions were detected between C. pneumoniae and influenza virus [odds ratio (OR): 0.09; p < 0.0001) and M. pneumoniae and influenza virus infections (OR: 0.29; p = 0.003). No association was detected between B. pertussis and influenza infection (p = 0.34), contrary to the initial report, and coinfection was not detected at a higher-than-by-chance frequency within the population. Further support of these results is supplied by the analysis of two earlier investigations reporting data on influenza virus and these atypical bacteria. Our results supplement the large body of literature regarding interactions between influenza virus and typical respiratory pathogens, providing a fuller picture of the spectrum of interactions between influenza viruses and respiratory bacteria. Further, we demonstrate the importance of choosing the most appropriate reference populations for the analysis being performed and describe the pitfalls that may occur when care is not taken in this regard.

The Pyrimidine Nucleoside Phosphorylase of Mycoplasma hyorhinis and How It May Affect Nucleoside-Based Therapy

Mycoplasmas are opportunistic parasites and some species are suggested to preferentially colonize tumor tissue in cancer patients. We could demonstrate that the annotated thymidine phosphorylase (TP) gene in the genome of Mycoplasma hyorhinis encodes a pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylase (PyNPHyor) that not only efficiently catalyzes thymidine but also uridine phosphorolysis. The kinetic characteristics of PyNPHyor-catalyzed nucleoside and nucleoside analogue (NA) phosphorolysis were determined. We demonstrated that the expression of such an enzyme in mycoplasma-infected cell cultures dramatically alters the activity of various anticancer/antiviral NAs such as 5-halogenated pyrimidine nucleosides, including 5-trifluorothymidine (TFT). Due to their close association with human cancers, the presence of mycoplasmas may markedly influence the therapeutic efficiency of nucleoside-based drugs.

Small Ruminant Lentivirus–Induced Arthritis

We describe the clinicopathologic features of an arthritis outbreak in sheep induced by small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV), linked to the presence of a new SRLV isolate phylogenetically assigned to caprine arthritis encephalitis virus-like subgroup B2. Thirteen SRLV seropositive Rasa Aragonesa adult ewes were selected from 5 SRLV highly infected flocks (mean seroprevalence, 90.7%) for presenting uni- or bilateral chronic arthritis in the carpal joint. A complete study was performed, including symptomatology, histopathology, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and microbiology. The carpus was the joint almost exclusively affected, with 10 sheep (76%) showing a moderate increase in carpal joint size (diameter range, 18-20 cm; normal range, 15-16 cm) without signs of locomotion problems and with 3 ewes (23%) showing severe inflammation with marked increase in diameter (21-24 cm), pain at palpation, and abnormal standing position. Grossly, chronic proliferative arthritis was observed in affected joints characterized by an increased thickness of the synovial capsule and synovial membrane proliferation. Microscopically, synovial membrane inflammation and proliferation and hyperplasia of synoviocytes were observed. More positive cases of SLRV infection were detected by immunocytochemistry of articular fluid than of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization also detected positive cells in the subsynovial connective tissue, lung, mediastinal lymph node, mammary gland, and mammary lymph node. All animals were negative for the presence of Mycoplasma or other bacteria in the articular space. The present outbreak likely represents an adaptation of a caprine virus to sheep. Our results underline the importance of the arthritis induced by SRLV in sheep, a clinical form that might be underestimated.

Detection of Mycoplasmas in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive degenerative disease of the motor neurons and the cause is unknown. Diverse factors such as genetic defects, nutritional deficiencies, head trauma, environmental toxin, autoimmune responses and viral and bacterial infections are involved. Mycoplasmas have been implicated as causal agents of different illnesses in human. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of mycoplasmas in the bloodstream of patients with ALS. Patients with ALS and healthy individuals were included in the study. A blood sample was taken in tubes with or without anticoagulant. Mycoplasmas were detected by culture or direct PCR, and the presence of antibodies IgM and IgG against LAMPs of these microorganisms by Western blot. Cultures for aerobic facultative bacteria were also done. Blood samples from 13 patients and 44 healthy individuals were screened. All blood cultures for non-fermentative mycoplasmas and aerobic facultative bacteria were negative. Cultures for fermentative mycoplasmas were considered positive after identification of mycoplasmal DNA by PCR. Mycoplasma sp. was detected by culture or direct PCR in 6/13 (46%) patients and in 4/44 (9%) of healthy individuals. M. fermentans was detected by PCR using specific primers in six patients and in two healthy individuals. IgM against LAMPs of M. fermentans were detected in 6/13 (46%) blood samples from patients and in 13/44 (30%) from healthy individuals, while. IgG was detected in 4/13 (31%) patients and in 3/44 (7%) healthy individuals. The results of this study show that mycoplasmas cause a systemic infection and could play a role in the origin or progression of the ALS.

Presence of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Mycoplasma&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Spp. in Patients with Asthma or Allergic Rhinitis

Objective: To compare the presence of Mycoplasma spp. in pharyngeal swabs of patients with asthma, allergic rhinitis and controls, also to compare the reactivity to allergens in the three groups. Material and Methods: Throat swabs of 120 patients with asthma, 211 allergic rhinitis patients and 171 healthy persons were cultured in E media. Positive cultures were identified by PCR. Susceptibility of patients positive for isolation of Mycoplasma spp. to indoor, forest and undergrowth allergens were determined. Results: Mycoplasma spp. was isolated in 26.6% of samples from asthmatic patients, 36% in patients with allergic rhinitis and 2.9% in the group of healthy persons. Positive patients for Mycoplasma with asthma and allergic rhinitis showed susceptibility tomite, grass and thunder mainly. Conclusion: There is a higher incidence of Mycoplasma spp. in asthmatic and allergic rhinitis patients than healthy persons. Only patients with asthma or allergic rhinitis showed reactivity to environmental allergens.

Survey of infectious agents in the endangered Darwin's fox (Lycalopex fulvipes): High prevalence and diversity of hemotrophic mycoplasmas

Very little is known about the diseases affecting the Darwin's fox (Lycalopex fulvipes), which is considered to be one of the most endangered carnivores worldwide. Blood samples of 30 foxes captured on Chiloé Island (Chile) were tested with a battery of PCR assays targeting the following pathogens: Ehrlichia/Anaplasma sp., Rickettsia sp., Bartonella sp., Coxiella burnetti, Borrelia sp., Mycoplasma sp., Babesia sp., Hepatozoon canis, Hepatozoon felis, Leishmania donovani complex, and Filariae. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed the presence of Mycoplasma spp. in 17 samples (56.7%, 95% Confidence Intervals= 38.2–73.7). Of these, 15 infections were caused by a Mycoplasma belonging to the M. haemofelis/haemocanis (Mhf/Mhc) group, whereas two were caused by a Mycoplasma showing between 89% and 94% identity with different Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis from felids and rodents hemoplasmas. The analysis of the sequence of the RNA subunit of the RNase P gene of 10 of the foxes positive for Mhf/Mhc showed that eight were infected with M. haemocanis (Mhc), one with a Mycoplasma showing 94% identity with Mhc, and one by M. haemofelis (Mhf). One of the foxes positive for Mhc was infected with a Ricketssia closely related to R. felis. All foxes were negative for the other studied pathogens. Our results are of interest because of the unexpectedly high prevalence of Mycoplasma spp. detected, the variability of species identified, the presence of a potentially new species of hemoplasma, and the first time a hemoplasma considered to be a feline pathogen (Mhf) has been identified in a canid. Though external symptoms were not observed in any of the infected foxes, further clinical and epidemiological studies are necessary to determine the importance of hemoplasma infection in this unique species.

Mycoplasma, bacterial vaginosis–associated bacteria BVAB3, race, and risk of preterm birth in a high-risk cohort

Genital tract infection accounts for approximately 25-40% of all preterm births. We sought to assess the relationship between preterm birth and selected vaginal bacterial taxa associated with preterm birth either directly or through their association with bacterial vaginosis (BV). Vaginal fluid for Gram stain was collected between 17 and 22 weeks' gestation as part of a randomized trial of ultrasound-indicated cerclage for preterm birth prevention in women at high risk for recurrent spontaneous preterm birth. Bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted from the Gram stain slides and analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Among the 499 participants, Mycoplasma was positively correlated with increased risk of preterm (risk ratio [RR], 1.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52-2.22) as was Mobiluncus (RR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.07-1.73) and Atopobium (RR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.1-1.87). However, there were strong interactions between the race/ethnic group and the presence of these and other individual taxa on risk of preterm birth. By contrast, bacterial vaginosis-associated bacteria (BVAB)-3 was consistently associated with a reduction in the risk of preterm birth for all racial/ethnic groups (0.55; 95% CI, 0.39-0.78). BV is characterized by a reduction of Lactobacillus, and lactic acid-producing bacteria and the presence of Mobiluncus; we found these factors and the presence of Mycoplasma to be associated with an increased risk of preterm birth. By contrast, the presence of a recently identified organism sufficient to cause BV, BVAB3, decreased the risk of preterm birth. These findings give insight into why treating BV has mixed impact on risk of preterm birth.

Detection of Ureaplasma spp. in semen samples from sheep in Brazil

A study was conducted to verify the presence of mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas DNA in sheep semen samples from the State of Pernambuco. The PCR assay was conducted of according with standard protocols with generic primers. Mollicutes DNA was detected in 26.0% and Ureaplasma spp. in 12.0% of semen samples.

Mycoplasma bovis infection in respiratory disease of dairy calves less than one month old

Mycoplasma bovis is an important cause of bovine respiratory disease, especially in young calves where it can also cause arthritis, tenosynovitis and otitis. During 2009 and 2010 a survey was carried out on carcasses of calves less than one month old sent to the Diagnostic Laboratory of the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna in Brescia, regardless of the presence of lung lesions, to detect this pathogen. PCR tests for Mycoplasma spp. and M. bovis were applied. 83 out of 224 (37%) lung tissue samples examined were positive at PCR test for Mycoplasma spp.; in 64 cases of these we observed typical respiratory lesions (P<0.001). M. bovis was identified in 26 out of 83 (31%) lung tissue samples positive at PCR test for Mycoplasma spp.; in 24 cases of these we observed typical respiratory lesions (P=0.039). Our data demonstrate that presence of Mycoplasma spp. and M. bovis positively correlates with pneumonic lung lesions in young dairy calves.

Role of the GapA and CrmA Cytadhesins of Mycoplasma gallisepticum in Promoting Virulence and Host Colonization

Mycoplasma gallisepticum is an important avian pathogen that commonly induces chronic respiratory disease in chicken. To better understand the mycoplasma factors involved in host colonization, chickens were infected via aerosol with two hemadsorption-negative (HA(-)) mutants, mHAD3 and RCL2, that were derived from a low passage of the pathogenic strain R (Rlow) and are both deficient in the two major cytadhesins GapA and CrmA. After 9 days of infection, chickens were monitored for air sac lesions and for the presence of mycoplasmas in various organs. The data showed that mHAD3, in which the crmA gene has been disrupted, did not promote efficient colonization or significant air sac lesions. In contrast, the spontaneous HA(-) RCL2 mutant, which contains a point mutation in the gapA structural gene, successfully colonized the respiratory tract and displayed an attenuated virulence compared to that of Rlow. It has previously been shown in vitro that the point mutation of RCL2 spontaneously reverts with a high frequency, resulting in on-and-off switching of the HA phenotype. Detailed analyses further revealed that such an event is not responsible for the observed in vivo outcome, since 98.4% of the mycoplasma populations recovered from RCL2-infected chickens still display the mutation and the associated phenotype. Unlike Rlow, however, RCL2 was unable to colonize inner organs. These findings demonstrate the major role played by the GapA and CrmA proteins in M. gallisepticum host colonization and virulence.

Principais alterações no leite por agentes causadores de mastite no rebanho caprino dos estados de Minas Gerais e Rio de Janeiro

A mastite subclínica caprina ocasiona prejuízos econômicos em decorrência do descarte, dos gastos com medidas terapêuticas e da redução da quantidade e qualidade do leite e seus derivados. Nesse estudo, 129 amostras de leite de cabra in natura, provenientes de 11 propriedades foram avaliadas pelo teste da caneca telada, California Mastitis Test (CMT), exame bacteriológico, pesquisa de Mycoplasma spp. e pela determinação dos parâmetros físico-químicos. No teste da caneca telada e no CMT, 3,1% e 4,6% das amostras foram positivas, respectivamente. No exame bacteriológico, 57,4% das amostras foram positivas e o patógeno mais frequente foi Staphylococcus coagulase negativa com 56% das cepas resistentes à penicilina e 100% de sensíveis à gentamicina. Mycoplasma spp. não foi identificado nas amostras. O diagnóstico da mastite subclínica pelo CMT e pelo exame bacteriológico diferiu de forma significativa e não houve associação entre o número de UFC/mL obtidas no exame microbiológico e o resultado do CMT (Qui-quadrado p &lt; 0,05). Os parâmetros físico-químicos diferiram significativamente entre os rebanhos (ANOVA, Tukey-Kramer, p &lt; 0,05) e a gordura foi o constituinte que demonstrou maior amplitude, sendo que 63,4% dos rebanhos apresentaram os valores abaixo do exigido pela legislação brasileira. Não houve associação significativa entre a presença de mastite diagnosticada pelo exame bacteriológico e os valores obtidos para os parâmetros físico-químicos (t-Student p &gt; 0,05). Com base nos resultados obtidos, recomenda-se a associação do exame bacteriológico quando na utilização do CMT para diagnóstico da mastite subclínica caprina.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae in children with acute and refractory asthma

BackgroundThe presence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae has been associated with worsening asthma in children. Sensitive assays have been developed to detect M pneumoniae–derived community-acquired respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS) toxin. ObjectivesTo identify the frequency and persistence of M pneumoniae detection in respiratory secretions of children with and without asthma and to evaluate antibody responses to M pneumoniae and the impact of M pneumoniae on biological markers, asthma control, and quality of life. MethodsWe enrolled 143 pediatric patients (53 patients with acute asthma, 26 patients with refractory asthma, and 64 healthy controls; age range, 5-17 years) during a 20-month period with 2 to 5 follow-up visits. We detected M pneumoniae using CARDS toxin antigen capture and polymerase chain reaction and P1 adhesin polymerase chain reaction. Immune responses to M pneumoniae were determined by IgG and IgM levels directed against CARDS toxin and P1 adhesin. pH was measured in exhaled breath condensates, and asthma control and quality of life were assessed using the Asthma Control Test and Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire. ResultsM pneumoniae was detected in 64% of patients with acute asthma, 65% with refractory asthma, and 56% of healthy controls. Children with asthma had lower antibody levels to M pneumoniae compared with healthy controls. Exhaled breath condensate pHs and asthma control and quality of life scores were lower in M pneumoniae–positive patients with asthma. ConclusionThe results suggest that M pneumoniae detection is common in children, M pneumoniae detection is associated with worsening asthma, and children with asthma may have poor humoral immune responses to M pneumoniae.

COMPARISON OF ENZYME IMMUNOASSAY WITH IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE ASSAY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF &lt;I&gt;MYCOPLASMA PNEUMONIAE&lt;/I&gt; RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a frequent cause of acute respiratory infections in both children and adults. Currently, diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infection will based principally on serology and the detection of IgM can provide an early and sensitive diagnosis in children. A variety of commercial immunodiagnostic assays, such as Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent (ELISA) assay and Indirect Immunofluorescence (IFA), are now available as serological methods. The Aim of this comparative prospective study, was to compare two different approaches to the rapid detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae respiratory tract infections among children. For this purpose, a commercial IFA assay for detection of M. pneumoniae-specific IgM antibody in acute-phase sera was used to compare with ELISA assay for specific-IgM antibody and to sought wither the use of either serological assays as a more reliable laboratory diagnosis for Mycoplasma pneumoniae respiratory tract infections in children. This study was designed as a comparative prospective study in which 90 patients (Mean age of the patients in case group was 5.94±2.73 and in control group was 6.51±2.26) of either sexes were included. These patients were classified into two groups: first group (case group), included 45 patients who had been admitted in hospital with diagnosis of respiratory tract infections and the second group (control group), included 45 healthy patients who had no history of respiratory tract infections. Both the groups were age and sex matched. Presence of IgM antibodies to Mycoplasma pneumoniae was assessed by IFA kit assay in both groups and the detection result was compared with result of previous study using ELISA assay. In the case group, 2 (4%) cases out of 45 children were positive for anti-mycoplasma antibody whereas in the control group, all children were negative. All positive case group patients had symptoms of acute pneumonia. 18 (40%) of the patients were diagnosed with bronchial asthma (40%) inclusive of all the two cases diagnosed with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. The IgM-positive rate for IFA assay (4%) was lower than in ELISA assay (9%), as compared from both kits. Taking the ELISA assay as a gold standard for the presence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae respiratory tract infections, the sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of the IFA assay in comparison to ELISA, were 50 (CI:8.30 to 91.70%), 100 (CI:91.31 to 100%), 100 and 95.34% respectively. The results of IgM IFA assay showed relatively lower positivity than ELISA assay in the early acute phase, the results of IFA undertaken for the detection of M. pneumoniae respiratory tract infections and it is a first study in the Saudia Arabia of its kind from the region reporting such a disease in children using a serological assays as IFA and ELISA assays for comparasion . We therefore conclude that the use of ELISA assay conducted in the country as a more reliable laboratory diagnosis for Mycoplasma pneumoniae respiratory tract infections in children. Further future studies need to be carried out to investigate the use of PCR to allow fast and reliable diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infection during the early phases of infection in children.

Presence of mycoplasmas in the respiratory system of small ruminants managed under extensive production system

The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of mycoplasmas in the respiratory system of sheep and goat populations managed under extensive production systems. Specific culture and polymerase chain reaction techniques were performed on a total of 88 lung tissue samples and 142 nasal swabs obtained from multiple herds in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A total of 29 samples (12.6%) were found to be positive for mycoplasmas. Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae was detected in the nasal swabs and lungs of affected sheep (n = 19) and in the lungs of asymptomatic goat kids (n = 2), while M. arginini (n = 5) and M. bovigenitalium (n = 1) were found in the goats' respiratory tracts. These data confirm the importance of M. ovipneumoniae in sheep raised under an extensive production system. This report also provides the first evidence of M. bovigenitalium isolation from the respiratory tract of goats.

Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection of Respiratory Pathogens among Pneumonia Affected Children

Molecular diagnostic methods offer a rapid and more sensitive strategy with high selectivity compared to the traditional immunoassays and culture techniques. Present study attempted to employ the molecular approach for the diagnosis of respiratory viral- and bacterial infections among the pneumonia infected children in Dhaka Metropolis. Samples were aseptically collected, processed and analyzed by using Multiplex Real Time PCR technique to detect respiratory pathogens within a time frame of February 2013-June 2013. Influenza viruses, human meta-pneumo viruses, respiratory syncytial viruses and other potential infective viruses were diagnosed. Among the infective bacterial population, presence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Legionella species, Salmonella species were detected. Among the nasopharyngeal and orpharyngeal (NPOP) samples, Influenza B and Streptococcus pneumoniae were found to be dominating (34.8% and 30.4%, respectively) whereas the induced sputum (IS) samples were 100% positive for S. pneumoniae followed by around 50% prevalence with equine arteritis virus, para influenza virus and the respiratory syncytial viruses A and B. Considering the spatial identification of an array of microorganisms, results of the current study sufficiently may endorse such molecular method of diagnosis for the betterment of public health.

Interference of &lt;i&gt;Mycoplasma&lt;/i&gt; spp. or &lt;i&gt;Ureaplasma&lt;/i&gt; spp. in Ovine Semen Quality

The presence of mycoplasma in ovine semen was associated in 9.09% (3/33) to the microscopic and macroscopic alterations of this fluid. <i>Mycoplasma</i> spp. was isolated in 36.36% (12/33) from semen samples while <i>Ureaplasma </i>spp. was isolated in 12.12% (4/33). The mollicute infection rates in studied semen samples indicated that the diagnosis of these bacteria in ovine must be a routine procedure for the quality of this biological product.

Broadly Reactive Polymerase Chain Reaction for Pathogen Detection in Canine Granulomatous Meningoencephalomyelitis and Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis

BackgroundGranulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis (GME) and necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) are common inflammatory conditions of the central nervous system of dogs. Infectious pathogens, particularly viruses, are suspected to contribute to the etiopathogenesis of GME and NME.HypothesisBroadly reactive PCR might aid in the identification of infectious agents in GME and NME.AnimalsSixty‐eight client‐owned dogs evaluated by necropsy at 1 university referral hospital.MethodsA mixed prospective/retrospective case‐control study was performed. Brain tissue prospectively collected at necropsy from GME, NME, and control cases was evaluated by broadly reactive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for adenoviruses, bunyaviruses, coronaviruses, enteroviruses, flaviviruses, herpesviruses, paramyxoviruses, and parechoviruses. In addition, these tissues were retrospectively evaluated for the presence of mycoplasmas by PCR, culture, and immunohistochemistry (IHC).ResultsBrain tissue was collected from 11 GME and 27 NME cases and 30 controls. Viral nucleic acids were not identified in the 6 GME cases, 25 NME cases, and 2 controls evaluated by viral PCR. Mycoplasma canis was identified by Mycoplasma genus PCR in 1/5 GME and 4/25 NME cases and subsequently was cultured from 4/5 GME and 4/8 NME cases as well as 2/9 controls. The IHC did not detect M. canis in any of the 11 GME and 27 NME cases or 14 controls evaluated with strain PG14 polyclonal antiserum.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe negative results suggest that viral pathogens are not common in the brain tissue of dogs with GME and NME. Further investigation is warranted to determine the importance of M. canis in cases of GME and NME.

Mycoplasmateceae species are not found in fallopian tubes of women with tubo-peritoneal infertility

BACKGROUND: The role of mycoplasmas on the development and sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease remains controversial. The objective of the present study is to correlate directly the presence of Mycoplasmateceae through polimerase chain reaction (PCR) determinations in cervix and Fallopian tubes of infertile patients with tubo-peritoneal factor diagnosed through laparoscopy. METHODS: Thirty patients with tubo-peritoneal infertility and 30 normal fertile patients were included in the study; cervical samples and tubal flushings were obtained during laparoscopy. PCR determinations for the detection of genetic material of Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealiticum, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis in cervix and tubal flushings were performed. RESULTS: No Mycoplasmataceae species as "only" microorganisms were found in tubal flushings of tubo-peritoneal infertility patients, whereas three (10%) fertile patients with normal tubes were positive for mycoplasma presence. This difference was not significant (p = 0.237). Among the 30 patients suffering from tubal infertility diagnosed through laparoscopy, Mycoplasmatecae species were not detected in the Fallopian tubes by PCR determinations, while in normal tubes from fertile patients these and other microorganisms could be found without distorting tubal anatomy. CONCLUSION: Mycoplasmateceae species were not detected in Fallopian tubes of women with tubo-peritoneal infertility.

Mycoplasmateceae species are not found in Fallopian tubes of women with tubo-peritoneal infertility

BackgroundThe role of mycoplasmas on the development and sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease remains controversial. The objective of the present study is to correlate directly the presence of Mycoplasmateceae through polimerase chain reaction (PCR) determinations in cervix and Fallopian tubes of infertile patients with tubo-peritoneal factor diagnosed through laparoscopy. MethodsThirty patients with tubo-peritoneal infertility and 30 normal fertile patients were included in the study; cervical samples and tubal flushings were obtained during laparoscopy. PCR determinations for the detection of genetic material of Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealiticum, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis in cervix and tubal flushings were performed. ResultsNo Mycoplasmataceae species as “only” microorganisms were found in tubal flushings of tubo-peritoneal infertility patients, whereas three (10%) fertile patients with normal tubes were positive for mycoplasma presence. This difference was not significant (p=0.237). Among the 30 patients suffering from tubal infertility diagnosed through laparoscopy, Mycoplasmatecae species were not detected in the Fallopian tubes by PCR determinations, while in normal tubes from fertile patients these and other microorganisms could be found without distorting tubal anatomy. ConclusionMycoplasmateceae species were not detected in Fallopian tubes of women with tubo-peritoneal infertility.

The necessity of identity assessment of animal intestinal cell lines: A case report.

Eight intestinal cell lines, established from different animal species were submitted to DSMZ (German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures) in order to analyze their species of origin and their microbial contamination. Species identity was determined by PCR targeting mitochondrial genes and hence confirmed by sequencing the amplified PCR products. For three cell lines (CIEB, CLAB, PSI-1) we confirmed the species identity, whereas the species of origin of the three other cell lines (B6, B10XI and IPEC) was not the expected one: B6 and B10XI cells, which were supposed to be of chicken origin were identified as porcine cells. IPEC, allegedly a sub clone of the well-known porcine intestinal cell line IPEC-J2, was of bovine instead of porcine origin. However, two further IPEC-clones, namely IPEC-1 and IPEC-J2, provided by another source were shown to be derived from the correct species (i.e. pig). Furthermore, six out of these eight cell lines turned out to be highly contaminated with mycoplasma. Alerted by this high incidence of infected and false specified cell lines, we feel obliged to inform all those working with animal intestinal cell lines and we strongly recommend verifying the species identity before using them. Also, the presence of mycoplasma should be tested when taking the cells in culture for the first time, and this mycoplasma control should be repeated at regular time intervals (e.g. every 4weeks).