Isolation of mycoplasmas from house musk shrews (Suncus murinus)

Mycoplasmas were isolated from various sites of experimental and wild house musk shrews (Suncus murinus). The oral cavity was the most prominent site to harbor mycoplasmas (15/18; 83%), followed by the nasal cavity (9/18; 50%). All of the isolated strains required serum for their growth and all fermented glucose. They were found to be serologically homogeneous by growth inhibition test but did not cross-react with several type strains of mycoplasma or reference strains of murine, feline, canine, porcine, bovine and equine origins.