Ciliary membrane alterations occurring in experimental Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

Experimental infection of hamster ciliated tracheal epithelium in organ culture with virulent Mycoplasma pneumoniae resulted in the deterioration o ciliary necklaces and an altered distribution of membrane-associated particles on the shafts of the affected cilia. To our knowledge that is the first report of an altered disposition of ciliary membrane-associated particles in response to a specific infectious agent.