Mycoplasma and ureaplasma vaginal microflora of bitches

Abstract

Mycoplasma and ureaplasma asre one of the smallest free living prokaryotes. The absence of cell wall has been used as the primary basis for inclusion of an organism in the class Mollicutes. The family Mycoplasmatales is divided into two genera Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma. The first isolation of mycoplasmas from the canine genital tract was reported in 1951. Similar to many other microorganisms, mycoplasma and ureaplasma may be normal inhabitants of the nasopharyngeal, ocular, and urogenital mucosa of the dog, with no manifestations of clinical disease. Mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas have influence on genital infections and infertility. A sindrome of infertility, abortion, neonatal deaths, weak pupies associated with breeding kennels has been occured. Since immunity against mycoplasma does not appear to develop, the affected dogs should be separated from healthy. The aim of the present study was to isolate mycoplasma and ureaplasma from vagina of healthy bitches. Samples for microbiological culture were collected from the vagina of different breeds bitches (2-9 years old). Swabs were placed in transport medium - Amies". Broth and solid selective media were used to isolate mycoplasma and ureaplasma. Isolates were tested for biochemical and antigenic properties. As mycoplasma are non-motile and has a lack of cell wall, typical colonies are formed on solid medium. Mycoplasma exhibit a distictive "fried agg" morphology when viewed under a plate microscope (10x objective) at 48-72 hours of incubation. [...].