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Methaemoglobin Formation by Mycoplasma gallisepticum: the Role of Hydrogen Peroxide

Nature volume 210, pages 963–964 (1966)Cite this article

Abstract

Mycoplasma gallisepticum, the agent responsible for common respiratory disease of turkeys, has been shown to agglutinate turkey erythrocytes1. During the course of investigations of a neurotropic strain of this organism (S6) which produces encephalitis associated with cerebral arteritis2, it was observed that incubation of a suspension of M. gallisepticum with washed turkey erythrocytes at 37° C caused the cells to become dark brown. Washed mycoplasmas enclosed in dialysis tubing also caused browning of erythrocyte suspensions and converted turkey and human haemoglobin to a brown solution which exhibited the spectral characteristics of methaemoglobin.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. New York University School of Medicine and Bellevue Hospital Center,

    LEWIS THOMAS & MARK W. BITENSKY

Authors
  1. LEWIS THOMAS
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  2. MARK W. BITENSKY
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THOMAS, L., BITENSKY, M. Methaemoglobin Formation by Mycoplasma gallisepticum: the Role of Hydrogen Peroxide. Nature 210, 963–964 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1038/210963a0

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