The biological properties and special characteristics of the human T mycoplasmas have been reviewed and summarized. The T mycoplasmas are distinguished from all other known mycoplasmas by their production of urease, and, therefore, by their ability to hydrolyze urea. This singular property significantly sets the T mycoplasmas apart from all other members of the order Mycoplasmatales. In consideration of this distinguishing property, it is reasonable to propose establishing a new, separate genus in the family Mycoplasmataceae in which to classify the T mycoplasmas isolated from man and lower animals. The name Ureaplasma is proposed for this new genus, which at present contains a single human species of at least eight different serotypes. The name Ureaplasma urealyticum is proposed for this new species. The type strain of U. urealyticum is human strain 960-(CX8), serotype VIII (Black); it has been deposited in the American Type Culture Collection as ATCC 27618.
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