Some recommendations concerning primary isolation of Mycoplasma suipneumoniae and Mycoplasma flocculare a survey

Abstract

Two mycoplasma species of the porcine respiratory tract: Mycoplasma suipneumoniae and Mycoplasma flocculare, have been notoriously difficult to cultivate. In the present paper a description is given of a new medium with which primary isolation of these organisms is usually successful. The basal medium is made from commercial dehydrated products. Pig serum is added and phenol red used as pH indicator. Contrary to what is customary in the preparation of mycoplasma media, various inorganic salts (Hank's balanced salt solution) are included and penicillin-G replaced as a bacteriostatic by bacitracin and meticillin. The volume of water is adjusted so as to give isotonia. Various additives often recommended for mycoplasma cultivation have been examined for growth promoting effect; apparently, however, they were all without effect. Working procedures for primary isolation trials are briefly described.