The Interaction of Mycoplasmas and Influenza Viruses in Tracheal Organ Cultures

Abstract

Organ cultures of porcine and bovine trachea were used as host systems in a study of interactions between influenza viruses and mycoplasmas. While Mycoplasma hyorhinis produced only minimal histopathological changes in the epithelium and swine-influenza virus produced moderate damage, there was some evidence that a double infection with both agents increased the destruction of the respiratory epithelium. This effect was not seen when influenza A WS was used, or when bovine instead of porcine cultures were used as the host system. Titers of virus in the organ culture fluids were unaltered by the presence of concurrent infection with M. hyorhinis, but growth of this mycoplasma was enhanced in cultures infected with swine-influenza virus as compared with control cultures. An examination of bovine tracheal cultures infected with swine-influenza virus and a bovine T-strain mycoplasma, either singly or in combination, showed no evidence of interaction between these two agents.