A prokaryotic mycoplasma-like organism infection in the scallop Argopecten irradians

Intracytoplasmic infection with a prokaryotic mycoplasma-like organism （MLO） were characterized in the scallop Argopecten irradians, and the first report of such infection in this scallop was represented. Ultrastructurally these microorganisms are usually pleomorphic and variable in morphology and size, and appear in several cell types such as small spherical body, rod-shaped bodies and longer filament-shaped body. They lack a cell wall. These observations revealed that these types of the prokaryote showed some characteristics of a mycoplasma-like organism （MLO）. MLO reproduced in two ways： binary fission and budding. The results of isolation and purification showed that a large number of MLOs existed in the tissues of diseased scallops. The results of experimental infection revealed that the MLO is pathogenic to the scallop Argopecten irradians.