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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Optimized PCR-based Detection of Mycoplasma
Published on: June 20, 2011
Comparative studies of the persistence of animal mycoplasmas under different environmental conditions
H Nagatomo1, Y Takegahara, T Sonoda
1Division of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Miyazaki University, Gakuen-Kibanadai, 889-2192, Miyazaki, Japan.
Abstract:
A comparison of the persistence of mycoplasmas in animals was carried out. When inoculated into liquid media, strains of Mycoplasma bovis, M. arginini, Acholeplasma laidlawii, and A. axanthum persisted for 59-185 days post-inoculation. The survival periods were not significantly influenced by temperature (4, 30, 37 degrees C, and room temperature). The survival periods for M. bovigenitalium, M. gallisepticum, M. bovirhinis, and M. gateae ranged from <7 to 185 days depending on medium components and temperature. Further, it was determined that strains of M. bovigenitalium, M. bovis, M. bovirhinis, M. arginini, and A. laidlawii persisted in a dry paper disc for at most 28, 126, 154, 56 and over >168 days at 4 degrees C, respectively. At 4 degrees C, strains of M. gallisepticum, M. columborale, M. edwardii, M. felis, and M. gateae survived for at most 28, 21, 42, 28, 28 and 70 days, respectively. At 30 degrees C, strains of M. bovis, M. bovirhinis, M. arginini, A. laidlawii, and M. gallisepticum persisted for at most 28, 84, 56, >168 and 14 days, respectively, but strains of M. gallisepticum, M. columborale, M. edwardii, M. felis, M. gateae, and U. diversum did not survive for more than 14 days. In an outdoor environment, strains of M. bovirhinis and A. laidlawii survived for at most 28 and 14 days, respectively. Finally, it was found that 14 isolates of M. gallisepticum persisted for periods similar to those of the reference strains. The results under dry conditions at a variety of temperatures presented contribute to understanding the epizootiology of mycoplasmal infections in the field.
Insights
Mycoplasma persistence in animals varies significantly by species and environmental conditions. Survival in liquid media and on dry surfaces depends on factors like temperature and medium composition, impacting disease spread.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Animal Health
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Mycoplasma species are significant pathogens in animal health, causing various diseases.
- Understanding their environmental persistence is crucial for controlling transmission and epizootiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the persistence of various Mycoplasma species under different environmental conditions.
- To determine the influence of temperature, medium composition, and dry surfaces on Mycoplasma survival.
Main Methods:
- Inoculation of Mycoplasma strains into liquid media and onto dry paper discs.
- Incubation at various temperatures (4°C, 30°C, 37°C, room temperature) and in an outdoor environment.
- Monitoring survival periods post-inoculation for different species.
Main Results:
- Mycoplasma bovis, M. arginini, Acholeplasma laidlawii, and A. axanthum persisted 59-185 days in liquid media, with temperature having minimal impact.
- Survival on dry discs varied greatly, with some strains like A. laidlawii persisting over 168 days at 4°C, while others survived <14 days at 30°C.
- M. bovirhinis and A. laidlawii showed limited survival (≤28 and ≤14 days, respectively) in an outdoor environment.
Conclusions:
- Mycoplasma persistence is highly variable, influenced by species, medium, temperature, and desiccation.
- Findings provide critical data for understanding the epizootiology of mycoplasmal infections in field conditions.
- Environmental survival data aids in developing targeted control and prevention strategies for animal mycoplasmosis.
