Surface parasitism of the fish mycoplasma Mycoplasma mobile 163 K on tracheal epithelial cells.

The interaction of Mycoplasma mobile 163 K with epithelial cells was investigated in tracheal organ cultures of gnotobiotic rats by electron microscopy. Ultrathin sections showed that the epithelial cells were heavily colonized and damaged by the mycoplasmas 2 days after infection. Numerous organisms were attached to fragments of the cytoplasmic membranes; others entered the injured cells and adhered to cell structures. Organisms were interconnected by fibrillary material supporting their adherence to the cell surface. Non-infected tracheal rings remained viable, differentiated and well organized up to 28 days of cultivation. The present investigation characterizes M. mobile 163 K as a surface parasite.