Biochemical characterization of Mycoplasma bovirhinis, Mycoplasma dispar and recent bovine isolates of Mycoplasma canis

The pattern and kinetics of substrate utilization by the type strains of My coplasma canis, M. bovirhinis and M. dispar and ten recent M. canis isolate s from cattle were determined. Metabolism of a range of sugars and organic acids by M. dispar was detectable by measurement of oxygen uptake. Organic acids were not utilized by M. bovirhinis or M. canis, and there was no oxyg en uptake during metabolism of glucose or other sugars, as monitored by a p H-change method. The M. canis strains varied in their ability to metabolize sugars; seven of the isolates from cattle had the distinctive ability to m etabolize sucrose, and one isolate, plus the type strain (from a dog), meta bolized N-acetylglucosamine. The M. bovirhinis strain metabolized maltose. However, all the test strains oxidized glycerol at high rates and with a hi gh affinity. Oxidation of glycerol has been reported for other mycoplasmas from the bovine respiratory tract and leads to the production of hydrogen p eroxide, a potential virulence factor.