Microorganisms of thePleuropneumonia group (family ofMycoplasmataceae) in man

Summary

Serological methods enabled us to confirm the provisional classification which was made on the basis of biochemical behaviour, growth requirements and morphological aspects of P.P.L.O. strains isolated in man.

The growth inhibition test was very specific and allowed of differentiation of nearly all our strains into three species,Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma salivarius andMycoplasma fermentans. Two strains could not be classified.

The complement fixation test gave on the whole the same results but with this test common antigens were demonstrated inM. hominis andM. salivarius.

M. salivarius is a common inhabitant of the buccal mucosa of man and has not been found to have any significance as a pathogen.

M. hominis was found in a large percentage of men suffering from non-specific urethritis and in the vaginal discharge of women where Lactobacilli were absent or scarce.

M. fermentans was isolated from the vagina of three women. They were identical with the G strain ofRuiter andWentholt. They were not connected with any special clinical condition. We did not find any relation between a positive culture ofM. hominis orM. fermentans and a specific clinical picture. This makes it improbable that they are real pathogens; maybe they are of secondary importance.