Modification of the growth of human mycoplasmas in tissue culture by infection with influenza virus and Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus

SummaryThe growth of type A influenza virus in tissue cultures of chorioallantoic membrane was inhibited by M. pneumoniae when the latter was inoculated 2 days before the virus. However, this inhibition was reversed by addition of l-arginine. On the other hand, the growth of mycoplasma was stimulated by influenza virus infection, especially in the culture medium containing arginine. In the case of the JE virus growing in PS cells, the virus was not affected by M. orale infection. On the contrary, the growth patterns of M. orale were modified by JE virus infection, particularly when the virus was inoculated 1 or 2 days before mycoplasma infection. However, no modification of growth pattern of M. orale was observed when the virus was inoculated after mycoplasma infection.