Enhancement of Growth of Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae by Tissue Cell Cultures

Abstract

Tissue cultures are widely used to study the relationship between various bacteria and tissue cells. Previous studies concerning growth of leptospirae in cell culture have elucidated no stimulatory growth factors (Ellison et al. 1965; Haxington & Sleight, 1966; Miller, Miller & White, 1966; Finn & Jenkin, 1973). Our results indicate that the cell lines (Clone By BHK 2 1 and HK) and primary cells (PMK, CEF) may markedly enhance the growth of leptospirae in some media. METHODS Test organisms. Avirulent and virulent strains of Leptospira serotype icterohaemorrhagiae were used. The avirulent Wijnberg strain was obtained from Dr Esther Shenberg, WHO/ F A