Full text loading...
Abstract
SUMMARY: Two members of the pleuropneumonia group, provisionally called the P and S species, were isolated from the genital tract of cattle.
The P strains required serum for artificial cultivation. Cultures on horse serum media had a characteristic appearance, due to the precipitation of a substance, probably protein; this aided identification. Strains differed antigenically, although common antigens were sometimes shared; antisera were prepared in rabbits against three different serological types. Agglutinins for P strains were not found in sera of infected cattle. There is some evidence that these strains may be capable of causing an inflammation of the genital tract which predisposes to infertility.
The S strains resembled the saprophytic members of the pleuropneumonia group, to which they were serologically related; they grew at room temperature and on media devoid of serum. They were antigenically distinct from P strains. They may be commensals or gain access to discharges as contaminants.
The observations in cattle suggest further study of strains of pleuropneumonia-like organisms isolated from the human genital tract. The assessment of their pathogenicity for man may be complicated by the presence of more than one species in the human genital tract.
- Received:
- Published Online: