title: Surface parasitism of the fish mycoplasma Mycoplasma mobile 163 K on tracheal epithelial cells.
abstract: The interaction of Mycoplasma mobile 163 K with epithelial cells was investigated in tracheal organ cultures of gnotobiotic rats by electron microscopy. Ultrathin sections showed that the epithelial cells were heavily colonized and damaged by the mycoplasmas 2 days after infection. Numerous organisms were attached to fragments of the cytoplasmic membranes; others entered the injured cells and adhered to cell structures. Organisms were interconnected by fibrillary material supporting their adherence to the cell surface. Non-infected tracheal rings remained viable, differentiated and well organized up to 28 days of cultivation. The present investigation characterizes M. mobile 163 K as a surface parasite.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Mikrobiologie und Tierseuchen, Tierärtlichen Hochschule Hannover, F.R.G.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stadtländer
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kirchhoff
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004848:Epithelium / Q000382:microbiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005399:Fishes / Q000382:microbiology*; D005856:Germ-Free Life; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000502:physiology*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D051381:Rats; D014132:Trachea / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure