Enhancement of Propagation of Mycoplasma Hyopneumoniae by Culture in a Biphasic Medium

Abstract

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (strain J) was propagated in a liquid and a biphasic media. The solid phase of the biphasic medium was obtained by the addition of 1.9% or 0.19% of agar to the liquid medium. Compared with the liquid medium, a more rapid propagation of mycoplasmas was observed in the biphasic medium after two weeks of incubation. After three weeks of incubation in the liquid and the biphasic medium containing 0.19% of agar in the solid phase, the numbers of mycoplasmas rose 2.7fold and 4.7fold, respectively. The biphasic medium, simulating partly the environment of the porcine respiratory tract, supported better the propagation of M. hyopneumoniae than the liquid medium. The biphasic medium containing 0.19% of agar in the solid phase should be preferred when a mass of Mycoplasma cells is to be obtained.