Lysis of Pleuropneumonia-like Organisms by Staphylococcal and Streptococcal Toxins

Six strains representing three species of Mycoplasma were examined for susceptibility to lysis by staphylococcal and streptococcal toxins. All were sensitive to staphylococcal alpha-toxin, two to streptolysin S, and three to streptolysin O. The results support the concept that the limiting membrane of pleuropneumonia-like organisms is basically similar to those of many other cell types and provide additional evidence for the participation of cholesterol in cytolysis induced by streptolysin O.