Stock cultures of free-living amebas: effect of temperature on viability and pathogenicity

The effect of temperature on the viability and pathogenicity of free-living amebas during long-term storage were carried out for 34 mo at room temperature, 40 mo at +4 C, and 15 mo at -15 C. During long-term storage, pathogenic amebas tend to lose their virulence. Acanthamoeba showed better survival potential than Naegleria.