Cultivation of mycoplasmas ― a retrospective and prospects

Isolation and identification of mycoplasmas from different species of domestic animals have recently become increasingly important. This prompted us to carry out research work to simplify the methods of sampling, cultivation, cloning, and storage of mycoplasmas living on the mucous membranes of dogs and cats. However, the unique properties of these bacteria, actually occupying an intermediate position between extracellular and intracellular parasites, often lead to confusion and misunderstanding. Indeed, even highly qualified veterinarians often have the wrong judgment that mycoplasmas are obligate intracellular bacteria similar Chlamydia or Rickettsia. Therefore, before presenting the main results of our studies, we gave a brief description of these unusual bacteria in this small review, with putting a focus on the properties which prevent to effective laboratory diagnostics.