OPTIMAL GROWTH CONDITIONS FOR (IBADAN) STRAINS OF ENTAMOEBA HISTOLYTICA.

Abstract

Simple experiments have been set up to study factors, other than living cells, that may be essential to the multiplication of Entamoeba histolytica in vitro. It has been shown that the organism has a definite growth cycle, and requires a definite percentage (20-25) of serum in the culture medium for successful growth. It is also shown that a minimum amount (3-4 x I05 /ml) of organism is required for the primary inoculum to ensure better growth. The physiological basis for the environmental factors considered essential for the in vitro cultural characteristics of E. histolytica is briefly discussed. It is finally suggested that for a mass cultivation of the organism, harvesting should be made at a point of maximum growth in the growth cycle.