MEMBRANE-ASSOCIATED HEMOLYSIN ACTIVITIES IN MYCOPLASMAS

Mycoplasmas are cell wan-less organisms that require membrane precurso rs for growth. Activities involved in the acquisition of these materia ls have been hypothesized as mycoplasmal virulence factors because of the effects these activities might have on host cells. Twenty-nine spe cies or strains of mycoplasmas were examined for membrane-associated h emolysis activity similar to that previously identified in Mycoplasma pulmonis. Membrane-associated hemolytic activity was found in most myc oplasma species, but the amount of activity varied between and within the species. All of the arginine-utilizing mycoplasmal species, one M. pulmonis strain, one Acholeplasma species, and the intracellular huma n pathogens M. penetrans and M. fermentans ssp. incognitus were devoid of activity. The wide distribution of the membrane-associated hemolys is activity suggests that it may be important to the survival of the o rganism.