Sterilization of cysts of Entamoeba histolytica by chemical disinfectants, and initiation and maintenance of pure cultures in association with single species of bacteria

Abstract

1. (1) The literature on the cultivation of E. histolytica is briefly reviewed with special reference to the methods of isolation of the organism in pure cultures in association with single species of bacteria. It is pointed out that the various methods employed by previous workers are tedious and time consuming and the results, in most cases, uncertain and unsatisfactory. 2. (2) A simple procedure has been devised by which the cysts of E. histolytica obtained in culture or directly from faeces can be successfully sterilized by chemical disinfectants alone, and pure cultures with single bacterial associates initiated. 3. (3) Two human strains of E. histolytica have been isolated in association with single species of bacteria, namely, Escherichia coli and Chr. prodigosum. 4. (4) The character of growth of amoebae in these cultures is described, and it is pointed out that growths of the order of 6,000,000 to 8,000,000 amoebae per ml. of culture have been observed. The advantages of pure amoeba-single bacterium cultures in pathological and chemotherapeutic investigations are discussed.