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Inactivation of Mycoplasma pneumoniae by High Hydrostatic Pressure

Christian Schreck a , Gerlinde Layh-Schmitt b , and Horst Ludwig a

Institut für Pharmazeutische Technologie und Biopharmazie, Gruppe Physikalische Chemie a and Hygiene-Institut b , Universität Heidelberg (Germany)

The barotolerance of the pleomorphic Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which has no cell wall, equals that of the pleomorphic Corynebacterium renale (minimum pressure 250 MPa at 25 °C). It is higher than the barotolerance of rod-like bacteria and lower than that of cocci. Thus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae fits in the classification found for vegetative bacteria, the cell wall seems to be of no direct importance for pressure inactivation. The barotolerance depends on the temperature, it is higher at 4 °C (300 MPa) and lower at 40 °C (150 MPa). Using 250 MPa and 40 °C it is possible to sterilise aqueous solutions containing Mycoplasma pneumoniae at a concentration of 10⁹ bacteria/ml within 15 min. Under these conditions the activity of an albumin antibody is not reduced. Therefore, sterilisation of antibody solutions and thermosensitive drugs contaminated by Mycoplasma species seems possible.

Key words Antibody solutions · Barotolerance · Hydrostatic pressure · Mycoplasma pneumoniae · Sterilisation · Vegetative bacteria