In vitro detection ofMycoplasma fermentans binding to B-lymphocytes in fresh peripheral blood using flow cytometry

Applications of Flow Cytometry to Clinical Microbiology

“…In an early work from 1983, Groschel (122) explained somewhat prophetically the use of antibodies in clinical microbiology. FCM in conjunction with fluorescent antibodies has been used to detect surface antigens in Haemophilus (298), Salmonella (57,207), Mycobacterium (238), Brucella (35), Branhamella catarrhalis (29), Mycoplasma fermentans (50), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (134), Bacteroides fragilis (191,239) and Legionella (143), among other microorganisms. These examples illustrate the sensitivity and specificity of using antibodies that allow the detection of particular cell types (of as few as 100 cells per ml in 30 min) in heterogeneous populations (57).…”

“…An FITC-conjugated monoclonal antibody to the major outer membrane protein of Chlamydia was used to stain chlamydial inclusions. Calculation of the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) by FCM allowed a more objective and precise evaluation of antimicrobial activity than did reading of microscopic inhibitory concentrations. The values obtained were reproducible and could be applied to compare the results obtained with different drugs.…”

Molecular Biology and Pathogenicity of Mycoplasmas

“…M. fermentans that stimulated human B and T lymphocytes has been shown to bind to 10 to 15% of human blood lymphocytes. The majority of these cells were B lymphocytes, while only a few were T lymphocytes (74). Whereas this mycoplasma induced polyclonal activation of mouse B lymphocytes (reviewed in reference 91), mouse T cells were not activated by membrane lipoproteins of M. fermentans incognitus (124).…”

Infection of human B lymphoma cells byMycoplasma fermentansinduces interaction of its elongation factor with the intracytoplasmic domain of Epstein-Barr virus receptor (gp140, EBV/C3dR, CR2, CD21)

“…Indeed, Mycoplasmas (and especially of the fermentans strain) have been found in mucosal tissues, in saliva and oropharyngeal of 45% of healthy adults [1]. Spe-cific binding of Mycoplasma fermentans predominantly directed towards B cells has been detected by flow cytometry [3]. Spe-cific binding of Mycoplasma fermentans predominantly directed towards B cells has been detected by flow cytometry [3].…”