INTERPLAY BETWEEN MYCOPLASMAS AND HOST TARGET-CELLS

The infectious pattern of mycoplasmas (Mycoplasma penetrans, Mycoplasm a pneumoniae and Mycoplasma genitalium) in mammalian cells was examine d using confocal microscopy and flow cytometry combined with cell frac tionation and mycoplasma viability determinations. Within 2 h postinfe ction mycoplasmas parasitize cell surfaces, enter the intracellular sp aces and locate throughout the cytoplasmic and perinuclear regions. Th ese mycoplasmas can be cultivated from cytoplasmic and nuclear fractio ns 96 h later and continue to persist intracellularly for at least 7 d ays, suggesting a much more active intracellular role for mycoplasmas than had been considered previously. (C) 1995 Academic Press Limited