Comparison of Techniques for the Isolation of T-strain Mycoplasmas

Abstract

COLONIES of T-strain mycoplasmas^1,2 (T-mycoplasmas) rarely exceed 50 microns in diameter and are therefore difficult to detect, particularly if clinical specimens contain few organisms and many cells, such as spermatozoa or epithelial cells (Fig. 1). But T-mycoplasmas metabolize urea^3,4, producing ammonia, so medium—initially pH 7.0 or less which contains urea and phenol red as a pH indicator—changes colour from yellow to red. This method provides an opportunity to measure antibody^3,5,6 and to detect T-mycoplasmas^7,8.