The Antigenic Structure of PPLO (Mycoplasma Hominis) and Related Bacteria

Abstract

By gel-diffusion precipitin and antigen-absorption tests, 34 strains of M. hominis (types 1-4) were examined, and 15 antigenic components recognized. Antigens-a, -b, -f and -g were common to types-1, -2 and -4; c was specific to type-1; h was specific to type-2. Type-3 was antigenically unrelated to the remainder. Its two recognizable components were named j and k. Three further antigens in type-1 were recognized as 17, 39 and 40, previously defined in strains of Haemophilus and Corynebacterium associated with mycoplasma-like variants (Pease and Laughton, 1965); antigen-40 also occurred in type-2. Two diffusible antigens, [alpha] and [beta], were detected in strains of types-1 and -4; these and also g were found to be shared with the bacterial strains. All genital strains of mycoplasma isolated in this laboratory belonged to type-1, all oral strains to type-4; one rat strain belonged to type-2. Distribution of antigenic components in strains of mycoplasma and in different strains of bacteria, including those believed to be derived from mycoplasma-ater (or vice-versa), and also in others, notably H. influenzae supports previous claims of relationship between M. hominis types-1, -2 and-4, Corynebacterium and Haemophilus. The validity of Mycoplasma as a distinct genus of microorganisms is thus called into question.