Characterization of Mycoplasma Aerosols as to Viability, Particle Size, and Lethality of Ultraviolet Irradiation

Abstract

Viable aerosols of four strains of Mycoplasma: M. hominis II, M. pharyngis, M. pneumoniae, and an undetermined strain recovered from a lung at autopsy were dispersed, and the particle size was determined. The median diameter of the droplet nuclei ranged from 1. 5 to 3.1 [mu]. M. pharyngis had a dieaway constant k of 0.008, indicating a survival potential of 6 hr. from 10,000 colony-forming units at 23% relative humidity. Ultraviolet irradiation destroyed over 99% of the aerosols of all 4 strains concurrently with spraying. The particle size and viability of the droplet nuclei carrying Mycoplasma were consistent with the theory of airborne transmission of lower respiratory-tract infection.