A MODIFIED ISOLATION TECHNIQUE FOR CHLAMYDIA-PSITTACI IN L-CELLS TREATED WITH CYCLOHEXIMIDE AND GLUCOCORTICOID

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 89  (1) , 13-23
Abstract
Various auxiliary treatments of L [mouse fibroblast] cells employed for the isolation and cultivation of C. psittaci were investigated to develop an improved method for the detection of the agent, in addition to the aid obtained by centrifugation and cycloheximide treatment. Glucocorticoid treatment increased the observed number of inclusions considerably through a preservative effect on host cells and enhanced a spontaneous re-infection. The hormone made the scanning of cell culture for inclusions more convenient through an altered cell morphology. This method was tested with 2 extreme species types that differed in cytopathogenicity and growth rate. The length of the cultivation period was of great importance for the diagnostic result. Especially the cytopathogenic agent-type influenced the optimal time of cell culture fixation, which was .apprx. 48 or 88 h post-infection (h p.i.). Owing to the cytotoxicity of field samples (milk secretion), the cell culture technique (48 h p.i.) was less sensitive compared to the conventional isolation method in embryonated eggs. A different sampling technique improved the result, and simultaneous use of the secondary multiplication cycle of chlamydia (88 h p.i.) makes the less cumbersome cell culture technique advisable.