Mycoplasma suis in naturally infected pigs: an ultra-structural and morphometric study

PORTIANSKY, EL; QUIROGA, MA; MACHUCA, MA; PERFUMO, CJ.

PESQUISA VETERINáRIA BRASILEIRA

REVISTA PESQUISA VETERINARIA BRASILEIRA

Año: 2004 vol. 24 p. 1 - 5

0100-736X

ABSTRACT.- Portiansky E.L., Quiroga M.A., Machuca M.A. & Perfumo C.J. 2004. Mycoplasma suis in naturally infected pigs: an ultrastructural and morphometric study. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 24(1):1-5. Instituto de Patología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 118, C.C. 296, (1900) La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail: elporti@fcv.unlp.edu.ar Swine eperythrozoonosis is a haemotrophic disease caused by Eperythrozoon suis, actually called Mycoplasma suis, an extracellular bacterial organism that apparently adheres to pig erythrocyte membrane, inducing its deformation and damage. Since little is known about the ultrastructural and morphometrical aspects of this microorganism, the present work aimed to deal with these issues. The ultrastructural study revealed the presence of structures corresponding to tubules disseminated throughout the soma of M. suis. A variable separation between the microorganism membrane and that of the erythrocyte was also observed. The structural and positional attitude of M. suis could allow speculation about its mechanism of action.