Isolation of Mycoplasma From Leukemic and Nonleukemic Patients

A study was made of the relative effectiveness of various methods for isolating Mycoplasma spp (mycoplasma) from clinical specimens obtained from leukemic and nonleukemic patients. From 1,950 specimens, 71 strains of mycoplasma were isolated. Twenty-seven strains were isolated directly on artificial media. Various basal media, with and without various additives, were tested for their capacity to grow mycoplasma from clinical specimens. None of the commonly used media containing fresh yeast extract were clearly superior or inferior to others. Cell culture methods were about fourfold more effective than direct bacteriologic methods. The combined use of fresh specimens, direct bacteriologic, and cell culture methods for isolating mycoplasma gave an overall frequency of recovery of about 3%. In general, bone marrow specimens were positive less frequently than peripheral blood specimens. Mycoplasma were isolated more frequently from children than from adults. Specimens from leukemic children at diagnosis, or when disease was in relapse, were positive most frequently. Specimens from children with nonlymphoid malignancies or blood dyscrasias also were positive frequently. Drugs used for the chemotherapy of leukemia did not prevent isolation of mycoplasma from clinical specimens. The evidence from this study suggests that mycoplasma, normally inhabiting the mucous membranes, enter the bloodstream and either persist or multiply in patients with leukemia, lymphoma, or other diseases which depress immunity. Mycoplasma do not appear to be significant as a prime etiologic agent.