Biofilm formation by mycoplasma species and its role in environmental persistence and survival.

摘要: Although mycoplasmas possess a very limited genome, little is known about their virulence mechanisms and methods of persistence in the host. Examination wide range mycoplasma species found considerable variation ability to form biofilm. Mycoplasma putrefaciens, M. cottewii, yeatsii, agalactiae bovis produced prolific biofilms. Conversely, highly pathogenic causative agent contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, mycoides subsp. SC, was unable produce Biofilms were be considerably more resistant stress, including heat desiccation, than planktonic cells. A link between biofilm phenotype genotype as determined by molecular typing for bovis. Analysis biofilms using fluorescent staining combined with confocal microscopy demonstrated that formed differentiated structure stacks channels. Biofilm formation may indicate are capable surviving environment.