Hemolysin and peroxide activity of Mycoplasma species

Abstract

Various methods for the detection of hemolysin production by Mycoplasma species were compared. Inoculation of blood-agar by the push-block method and by use of concentrated mycoplasma cell suspensions was compared with the agar-overlay technique. The preferred method was direct surface inoculation of concentrated suspensions onto the blood-agar. Among the conditions tested, refrigeration of 48-hr cultures gave the best results. A wide variety of mycoplasma species were tested for hemolytic activity towards rabbit, sheep, guinea pig, duck, and chicken bloods. Guinea pig erythrocytes were found to be the most susceptible to lysis by mycoplasma, and rabbit erythrocytes were found to be the least susceptible. A sensitive technique for the detection of peroxide production by mycoplasma strains, employing agar containing benzidine and sheep blood, was used. With this method, peroxide production could be correlated with hemolysis on blood-agar. Peroxidase and catalase inhibited both the benzidine reaction and hemolysis. It was concluded that the major hemolysin of the Mycoplasma species examined is a peroxide.