Ultrastructure of a Mycoplasma (negroni) Isolated from Human Leukemia.

Hummeler, Klaus (The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa.), Natale Tomassini, and Leonard Hayflick. Ultrastructure of a mycoplasma (Negroni) isolated from human leukemia. J. Bacteriol. 90:517-523. 1965.-A strain of mycoplasma isolated in tissue cultures from human leukemic bone marrow was cultivated in cell-free media for 23 passages. Concentrates of broth cultures were investigated under the electron microscope in thin sections and negative contrast. The ultrastructure of the mature mycoplasma cells and their elementary bodies is described. It was found that the elementary bodies, particularly in the negative contrast preparations, bear a close resemblance to viruslike particles seen in tissues and plasmas of leukemic patients.