Incorporation of Nucleosides and Amino-acids in Human Erythrocyte Suspensions: Possible Relation with a Diffuse Infection of Mycoplasms or Bacteria in the L Form

Abstract

THE finding of bacteria, mycoplasms and virus-like forms in association with malignant diseases in humans has been frequently discussed. The isolation of mycoplasms from leukaemic tissues is a common observation, although a causal relation between these microorganisms and the disease is not yet established. Pease¹ has suggested that conditions of autoimmunity and malignant degeneration may occur as a result of an altered tolerance to the L-form of Listeria, a widespread microorganism which is found in a variety of morphological forms in animal blood and also in the blood of many clinically healthy human subjects. We feel that some common mycoplasms may play an analogous part. The reader will know that the relations between mycoplasms and the L-forms of schizomycetes are still an object of much debate.