Synchronized division of avian pleuropneumonialike organisms.

Kelton, William H. (University of Massachusetts, Amherst). Synchronized division of avian pleuropneumonia-like organisms. J. Bacteriol. 83:948-955. 1962.-Evidence indicates that phosphate-buffered 0.85% saline (pH 7.0) is toxic when used for diluting cultures of pleuropneumonia-like organisms (PPLO). A technique for picking single PPLO colonies and streaking on agar medium is described. Growth curves of eight strains of PPLO of avian origin are described. Strain S-6 showed a typical growth curve. The other strains presented the lag and logarithmic phases of growth, followed by a rapid decline in viable numbers and peaks of growth later. Additional studies showed that growth was logarithmic in young cultures of all strains. Synchronization of division of two avian strains of PPLO appeared to have been induced by starvation for horse serum. Studies of small populations of PPLO were also made. The results of these experiments, along with the logarithmic growth, favor binary fission as the mode of reproduction.