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Mycoplasma glycophilum, a new species of avian origin
Abstract:
A mycoplasma, designated strain 486, was isolated from the oviduct of an adult chicken. On the basis of its morphological, physical and cultural characteristics the organism was assigned to the class Mollicutes, order Mycoplasmatales. The guanine plus cytosine content of its DNA was estimated to be 27.5 mol%. The organism was inhibited by digitonin and it showed a growth response to sterol, although its minimal requirement was low. It neither showed helical forms nor hydrolysed urea and was hence assigned to the family Mycoplasmataceae, genus Mycoplasma. Strain 486 fermented glucose and reduced tetrazolium under anaerobic conditions. It did not hydrolyse arginine, aesculin or arbutin, nor did it produce films and spots or digest serum. Phosphatase activity was negative or very weak, and the organism adsorbed turkey but not chicken red blood cells. Serological tests (growth inhibition, indirect fluorescent antibody, double immunodiffusion and metabolism inhibition) with 75 currently accepted Mycoplasma species or serovars failed to identify the isolate. Thus strain 486 appears to represent a new species, for which the name Mycoplasma glycophilum is proposed. (NCTC 10194, ATCC 35277).
Insights
A novel Mycoplasma strain, isolated from chickens, has been identified as a new species, Mycoplasma glycophilum. This bacterium, distinct from known species, offers new avenues for research in avian mycoplasmosis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Veterinary Science
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Mycoplasma are bacteria lacking a cell wall, belonging to the class Mollicutes.
- Identification and classification of new Mycoplasma species are crucial for understanding avian diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize and classify a novel Mycoplasma strain (Strain 486) isolated from an adult chicken's oviduct.
- To determine if Strain 486 represents a new species within the genus Mycoplasma.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and cultivation of Mycoplasma strain from chicken oviduct.
- Morphological, physical, and cultural characterization.
- DNA guanine plus cytosine (GC) content estimation.
- Biochemical tests (urea hydrolysis, glucose fermentation, arginine hydrolysis, etc.).
- Sterol requirement and digitonin sensitivity testing.
- Hemadsorption tests (chicken and turkey red blood cells).
- Serological tests (growth inhibition, indirect fluorescent antibody, double immunodiffusion, metabolism inhibition) against 75 known Mycoplasma species.
Main Results:
- Strain 486 exhibited characteristics consistent with the genus Mycoplasma, including sterol requirement and lack of urease activity.
- Biochemical profile showed glucose fermentation and tetrazolium reduction but no arginine hydrolysis.
- Serological tests failed to identify Strain 486 among 75 existing Mycoplasma species, indicating novelty.
- DNA GC content was determined to be 27.5 mol%.
Conclusions:
- Strain 486 represents a new species within the genus Mycoplasma.
- The proposed name for this new species is Mycoplasma glycophilum.
- This discovery expands the known diversity of avian Mycoplasma and contributes to the field of mycoplasmology.