Isolation and characterization of mycoplasmas (PPLO) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and reiter's syndrome

Using tissue culture methods, mycoplasmas (PPLO) were isolated from synovial fluid, bone marrow, kidney, or serum of 14 of 17 patients with either rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or Reiter's syndrome. Sensitivity to various antibiotics and the ability to ferment glucose varied, but all strains were sensitive to tetracycline, and hemolysed sheep cells. Antigenic relationships, studied by complement fixation and growth inhibition, revealed minor differences among the strains, except one which appeared culturally and antigenically distinct. Growth inhibition against several recognized human mycoplasmas was demonstrated.