title: Enhancement of HIV-1 cytocidal effects in CD4+ lymphocytes by the AIDS-associated mycoplasma.
abstract: Coinfection with Mycoplasma fermentans (incognitus strain) enhances the ability of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) to induce cytopathic effects on human T lymphocytes in vitro. Syncytium formation of HIV-infected T cells was essentially eliminated in the presence of M. fermentans (incognitus strain), despite prominent cell death. However, replication and production of HIV-1 particles continued during the coinfection. Furthermore, the supernatant from cultures coinfected with HIV-1 and the mycoplasma contained a factor that inhibited the standard reverse transcriptase enzyme assay. The modification of the biological properties of HIV-1 by coinfection with mycoplasma may be involved in the pathogenesis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
authors.affiliation: Department of Infections and Parasitic Diseases Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC 20306.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Benish
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Wear
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000382:microbiology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000382:microbiology*; D002459:Cell Fusion; D002460:Cell Line; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000150:complications*; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000378:metabolism; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase