Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russia
Aim. To study the time of preservation of antigens and DNA of urogenital mycoplasmas in circulating immune complexes (CIC) in blood of rabbits after single inoculation. Materials and methods. Rabbits were inoculated with Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealiticum cell cultures washed in fetal calf serum. Reaction of aggregate-hemagglutination, immunofluorescence assay and PCR were used for detection of mycoplasmas" antigens and DNA. Results. It was shown that DNA and antigens of M.hominis persist in free state and in structure of CIC during 1 month and 3 months respectively. In immunized rabbits antigens and DNA of mycoplasmas were detected in CIC structure even 6 months after the last immunization. Pattern of detection of DNA and antigens of U.urealyticum in blood of inoculated rabbits consists in that both DNA and antigens of the microorganism were detected in structure of CIC in blood samples during 70 days, whereas in free state they were detected only during 35 days. Incomplete elimination of CIC is possibly related to their small size (11S and lower) that allows them to circulate for a long time. Conclusion. Prolonged persistence of antigens and DNA of mycoplasmas in CIC structure is a fact that requires refinement of diagnostic criteria used for control of effectiveness of etiotropic therapy.
Zh. Mikrobiol. (Moscow), 2009, No. 4, P. 85—88