Interplay between mycoplasmas and host target cells.
The infectious pattern of mycoplasmas (Mycoplasma penetrans, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma genitalium) in mammalian cells was examined using confocal microscopy and flow cytometry combined with cell fractionation and mycoplasma viability determinations. Within 2 h postinfection mycoplasmas parasitize cell surfaces, enter the intracellular spaces and locate throughout the cytoplasmic and perinuclear regions. These mycoplasmas can be cultivated from cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions 96 h later and continue to persist intracellularly for at least 7 days, suggesting a much more active intracellular role for mycoplasmas than had been considered previously.
Baseman
J B
JB
Department of Microbiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio 78284-7758, USA.
Lange
M
M
Criscimagna
N L
NL
Giron
J A
JA
Thomas
C A
CA
D000818:Animals; D002458:Cell Fractionation; D002460:Cell Line; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D018661:Mycoplasma penetrans / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D009177:Mycoplasma pneumoniae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*