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Peroxide Production by Mycoplasmas in Chicken Tracheal Organ Cultures

Nature volume 228, pages 1099–1100 (1970)Cite this article

Abstract

MANY mycoplasmas liberate peroxide in vitro1–3 and this might be an important virulence factor in respiratory infections1,3,4. There are, however, few in vivo data5 to support this hypothesis. Recently we showed that several mycoplasma species grew in chicken embryo tracheal organ cultures and that some adversely affected ciliary activity6. Subsequent studies have shown that the cytopathic effect of M. mycoides var. capri in organ cultures is caused by peroxide secretion7. Conversely, damage to cilia caused by M. gallisepticum is not (unpublished observations of J. D. C. and D. T-R.). We have now measured and compared peroxide production by several mycoplasmas in tracheal organ cultures and correlated the findings with damage to the ciliated epithelium.

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Author notes

  1. J. D. CHERRY: Visiting worker from the Department of Pediatrics, St Louis University, School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. MRC Clinical Research Centre, Harrow, Middlesex

    J. D. CHERRY & D. TAYLOR-ROBINSON

Authors
  1. J. D. CHERRY
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  2. D. TAYLOR-ROBINSON
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CHERRY, J., TAYLOR-ROBINSON, D. Peroxide Production by Mycoplasmas in Chicken Tracheal Organ Cultures. Nature 228, 1099–1100 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1038/2281099a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/2281099a0

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