Comparison of antigens of pneumonia-associated mycoplasma species by gel diffusion

Cross-reacting antigens between Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae and other species of mycoplasma of animal origin, shown by ELISA and immunoblotting with reference antisera

Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays with Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae as antigen, the cross-reactivity of antigens between this species and 22 other mycoplasma species was examined using reference polyclonal antisera. Significant cross-reactivity with M. ovipneumoniae was demonstrated by five species, only, viz. M. bovoculi, M. dispar, M. flocculare, M. hyopneumoniae and M. hyorhinis. Using one-dimensional SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting techniques with homologous and heterologous antisera, cross-reacting antigens of M. dispar, M. flocculare, M. hyopneumoniae and M. ovipneumoniae were further investigated. Cross-reacting antigens with apparent molecular weights of 64, 44 and 32 kDa were common to all and a 184 kDa cross-reacting antigen occurred in all except M. ovipneumoniae. Further cross-reacting antigens (one-way and two-way) between two of the four species are reported. Four monoclonal antibodies against different antigens of M. ovipneumoniae did not recognise any antigen in the other three species examined.

Serological comparison of type strains of porcine, bovine, and ovine mycoplasmas with atypical colony morphology

The type strains of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, M. flocculare, M. dispar, and M. ovipneumoniae, all characterized by nipple-less colonies on solid media, were compared serologically. By indirect hemagglutination and by complement fixation tests they were found to constitute a related group. By crossed immunoelectrophoresis a sharing of common antigens was demonstrated, whereas no cross reactivity was noted by the metabolism inhibition test.

The type strains of Mycoplasma hyorhinis and Mycoplasma bovirhinis were included in the study for comparison. Although some cross reaction was noted, they appeared just moderately related to the nipple-less group as well as to each other.