Serological Comparison of Five Arginine-Utilizing Mycoplasma Species by Two-Dimensional Immunoelectrophoresis

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Abstract
Five arginine-utilizing, nonglycolytic Mycoplasma species were compared serologically by two dimensional immunoelectrophoresis. The survey included: Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma arthritidis, Mycoplasma gateae, Mycoplasma gallinarum , and three strains of Mycoplasma arginini . Although the M. arginini strains showed strong cross-reactions, each strain produced a different antigenic profile which was distinct and which indicated significant antigenic differences between strains. The M. arginini strains showed strong relationships with M. gateae ; lesser cross-reactions were observed with other strains. Common antigens were demonstrable in the entire group. When all these species were compared with a glycolytic species, Mycoplasma gallisepticum , no cross-reactions were observed. Two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis was a far more sensitive technique than double-immunodiffusion since as many as 20 components could be resolved.