A Study of the Physiology of Bacteria Which Support the Growth of Endamoeba histolytica In vitro

Abstract

Using the Phillips culture as a source of bacteria-free trophozoites, 65 bacterial types were tested with 3 strains of E. histolytica in order to select amoebionts (amoeba-supporting organisms) for comparison. Eight bacteria[long dash]Clostridium tetani, C. botulinum, C. pasterianium. C perfringens, C. perfringens. Bacillus circulans, Micrococcus pyogenes var. aureus. M. p. var. albus, and Paracolobactrum coliforme[long dash]were found to be excellent amoebionts. The major physiological responses of these bacteria were checked and a table for comparison drawn. Procedure for the isolation of these organisms and the conduction of the physiology tests are descr. The Phillips culture as a source of bacteria-free trophozoites is compared with other methods and possible applications of information gained from studies of this type are discussed.