MYCOPLASMA-LAGOGENITALIUM SP. NOV., FROM THE PREPUTIAL SMEGMA OF AFGHAN PIKAS (OCHOTONA-RUFESCENS RUFESCENS)

Organisms with, characteristics typical of mycoplasmas were isolated f rom the preputial smegma of Afghan picas (Ochotona rufescens rufescens ). The results of growth inhibition tests, metabolic inhibition tests, and immunobinding assays showed that the isolated strains were identi cal and that they were distinct from previously described Mycoplasma, Entomoplasma, Mesoplasma, and Acholeplasma species. These organisms re present a new species, for which the name Mycoplasma lagogenitalium is proposed, M. lagogenitalium ferments glucose, does not hydrolyze argi nine or urea, reduces tetrazolium chloride, possesses phosphatase acti vity, does not digest gelatin or casein, and does not produce films or spots, It lyses sheep erythrocytes and does not adsorb sheep, rabbit, or horse erythrocytes. Cholesterol or serum is required for growth. T he growth temperature is 37 degrees C. The guanine-plus-cytosine conte nt of the DNA is 23.0 +/- 1.0 mol%. The type strain is M. lagogenitali um 12MS (= ATCC 700289(T)).