Morphological and ultrastructural studies of Mycoplasma flocculare and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in vitro

Cells of Mycoplasma flocculare were found to vary in size and shape, especially in the later phases of growth, whereas those of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae were fairly uniform irrespective of growth phases. Filamentous cells were present in cultures of M flocculare in the stationary and declining phases, but were never found in cultures of M hyopneumoniae. The filamentous and bizarre forms observed when mycoplasmas were suspended in phosphotungstic acid probably result from the action of the hypotonic solution. The surface of all cells was covered by a fuzzy coat consisting of fine hairs or bristles. An electron-lucent region was usually seen in cells negatively stained after centrifugation, but was only occasionally seen in cells negatively stained directly from the medium. Intracytoplasmic membranes were present in sectioned cells. No attachment organelle was found in cells of either species.