Evidence for superoxide dismutase and catalase in mollicutes and release of reactive oxygen species.

The presence of superoxide dismutase was demonstrated in 21 strains of mollicutes, including achuloplasmas, mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas. Additionally, catalase activities were demonstrated in nearly 50% of the cell lysates, whereas no peroxide activities were detectable. The production of O2- and H2O2 with glucose as substrate was demonstrated for 8 strains of 10 strains tested. Anaerobic mycoplasmas showed the highest amount of radical production, whereas superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were in the range of activities estimated for aerobic mollicutes. Some pathogenic strains additionally released compounds into the culture medium, which stimulated O2- production by PMNs.