Characterization of a newly identified mycoplasma (Mycoplasma orale type 3) from the human oropharynx.

Six mycoplasma strains, isolated under anaerobic conditions from the human oropharynx, were studied by biologic and serologic means. The strains produced nippled colonies with weak hemolytic activity for guinea pig erythrocytes on agar medium. In addition, the strains metabolized arginine with a concomitant alkaline shift in the pH of the medium but did not produce a pH shift when grown in the presence of glucose or urea. The strains failed to reduce 2-3-5 triphenyl tetrazolium and were inhibited by 0.001% methylene blue. In addition, they required fresh yeast extract for growth. When compared by several serologic methods, the strains were found to be related to each other but distinct from 23 serotypes of human, animal, and avian origin. However, one-way serologic relationships between one of the new strains and Mycoplasma orale type 1 and M. salivarium were observed when they were tested by complement fixation. Furthermore, partial relationship of one of the new strains to all of the arginine-utilizing mycoplasma species of human origin was demonstrated with the agar gel diffusion technique. Thus, the new strains appear to constitute a new mycoplasma species, for which the name M. orale type 3 is tentatively proposed. M. orale type 3 accounted for 1.4% of 437 mycoplasma isolates from the oropharynx of adults. The new species probably is a rare member of the normal mycoplasmal flora of man.