[Studies on the continuous culture and the growth of Entamoeba gingivalis]

To establish a method for continuous culture of Entamoeba gingivalis(E. g.).

The culture conditions of E. g. were compared by observing its size and survival time at room temperature.

The growth of E. g. under different culture conditions including culture medium, temperature and pH were compared. The accompanying bacteria associate with E. g. FJ4 were isolated and identified. The average size of E. g. was 13.19 microns-49.93 microns x 9.88 microns-30.74 microns. The optimal culture conditions of E. g. were: modified LES or YES medium, pH 6.4-6.7, nutritional liquids such as Locke's solution or yolk liquid with 20% bovine serum, penicillin, streptomycin and rice flour at 35 degrees C. Reproduction of E. g. peaked at the fourth day of incubation, and the survival time of E. g. was 120 h-168 h.

E. g. could be continuously cultured in modified LES or YES medium by inoculating once every four days.