Cultivation of a Mycoplasma from the Bone Marrow in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disseminatus

Abstract

SummaryUsing a modified cell-free culture medium and a modern large-viewfield microscopic equipment, a mycoplasma was isolated from the bone marrow specimens of three patients with confirmed systemic lupus erythematosus disseminatus. The three isolates metabolized arginine and did not ferment glucose or split urea. A rabbit antiserum prepared against one isolate inhibited the growth of Mycoplasma arthritidis and strain 20-P from rheumatoid arthritis with a zone of 3 mm.