Cultivation of protozoa
Start with the big picture
Protozoal culture may be performed in vivo, using experimental animals or embryonated eggs, or in vitro, using xenic, monoxenic, or axenic systems. These terms distinguish cultures with mixed bacteria, one bacterial species, or no bacteria. Successful growth depends on suitable media and conditions such as temperature, pH, and oxygen or CO₂ levels. Requirements vary: examples include diphasic media for Leishmania and Trypanosoma, axenic culture for Giardia, red-cell culture for Plasmodium and Babesia, and tissue culture or animal passage for Toxoplasma. Free-living amoebae can be cultured on non-nutrient agar with a bacterial lawn. Because culture is generally reserved for research or selected cases, Trichomonas vaginalis stands out as the protozoan regularly cultured clinically.
What you'll learn
- Distinguish in vivo and in vitro protozoal culture systems.
- Compare xenic, monoxenic, and axenic cultures.
- Relate temperature, pH, and gas conditions to protozoal growth.
- Identify culture approaches used for selected protozoan groups.
- Explain the clinical role of Trichomonas vaginalis culture.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
