SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY TECHNIQUES IN THE STUDY OF THE SURFACE STRUCTURE OF MYCOPLASMAS

Sperm washing and swim-up technique using antibiotics removes microbes from human semen

Pelvic infections may follow intrauterine or intratubal insemination with washed semen. In this study, we determined whether sperm washing removes microorganisms from human semen. Before and after semen wash, we cultured 15 ejaculates for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, genital mycoplasma, and chlamydia. All semen samples had from one to five organisms isolated (total, 40 isolates) before the semen wash preparation. The mean number (+/- standard deviation) of isolates per sample was 2.67 +/- 1.35. After the semen were prepared, none of the samples showed a positive culture. The decrease in the number of samples with positive cultures and the decrease in the number of isolates is significant (P less than 0.0001). After sperm washing, electronmicroscopic studies did not show any microbes attached to any portion of the spermatozoa. We conclude that the method of sperm wash preparation used is effective in removing microbes present in human semen.

Scanning electron microscopy of mycoplasmas adhering to erythrocytes

The interaction of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma gallisepticum with human erythrocytes (RBC) was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The tight nature of the attachment of the microorganisms to the RBC was indicated by the indentation of the RBC surface at the site of attachment of M. gallisepticum cells and by traction and resulting distortion in the shape of the RBC at the point of its attachment to M. pneumoniae filaments growing on glass or plastic. In many cases attachment took place via the tip of the filaments, the membrane of the parasite appearing to be fused with that of the RBC. The morphology of the mycoplasmas growing on cover slips conformed in general with previous descriptions obtained by scanning electron microscopy. Growth of M. pneumoniae on glass or plastic consisted of branching filaments spread on the inert surface and microcolonies made up of intertwining filaments projecting into the medium. The filaments had a bulbous swelling adjacent to a tapered tip end. A few filaments were shown to have a ropelike helical twist. M. gallisepticum grown on the cover slips of Leighton tubes had a peculiar fusiform or teardrop shape with blebs at one or both poles of the cells. Elongated filamentous forms and chains of coccobacillary bodies were observed as well.

Ureaplasma urealyticum (T-mycoplasma) infection: does it have a role in male infertility?

Ureplasma urealyticum (T-mycoplasma) has been related to male infertility by some observers. To assess further this question 150 couples who presented for fertility had semen and cervical mucus cultures for mycoplasma. Positive cultures were obtained from 69 couples. There were no significant differences in the semen analyses among patients with positive or negative cultures. The presence of mycoplasma in the semen is probably the result of contamination at the time of ejaculation. Routine investigation for the presence of mycoplasma in subfertile men is unjustified. The routine use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in subfertile patients with positive mycoplasma culture is unnecessary.

Preliminary observations on an isolate from synvoial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

A very slow-growing micro-organism has been isolated from the synovial fluid of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. This organism exhibits some of the properties of a mycoplasma such as growth in the presence of penicillin, and the requirement of serum and yeast, but generally does not behave like any known species of this group. Colonies resemble some types of T-mycoplasma in morphology and size. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the size of the components of these colonies was exceedingly small.

Scanning electron microscopy of Thermoplasma acidophilum

The scanning electron microscope was utilized to observe the morphology of the thermophilic, acidophilic mycoplasma, Thermoplasma acidophilum. Upon examination of the surface morphology, the size and shape of this unusual mycoplasma revealed its similarity to the other mycoplasmas that have been investigated.