09
Mar
no mycoplasmas were detected in acridine orange-stained (A) blood smears, whereas in SEM singleM. and transmission electron microscopy, we proved that the localization ofM. suiswas intracellular. This organism invades erythrocytes in an endocytosis-like process and is initially surrounded by two membranes, and it was also found floating freely in the cytoplasm. In conclusion, we were able to prove for the first time that a member of the hemotrophic mycoplasma group is able to invade the erythrocytes of its host. Such colonization should protect the bacterial cells from the host's immune response and hamper antibiotic treatment. In addition, an intracellular life…