[Indication of mycoplasmas in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients].
Specimens of synovial fluid taken from patients with rheumatoid arthritis were tested for the presence of mycoplasmas and mycoplasmic antigens. In 30% of cases the direct inoculation into cell-free media permitted the detection of mycoplasma-like agents which could not be subcultured on solid media for identification. Mycoplasmic antigens were detected in the tested material with the same frequency by means of the immunofluorescence test. The use of cell cultures made it possible to isolate and identify mycoplasmas. M. arthritidis and M. fermentans, as well as their association, were identified in the immunofluorescence test and in cell cultures.