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Published on: August 14, 2021
[Growth, virulence and antigenecity of Leptospira interrogans serovar mozdok in modified EMJH medium]
Andrés Gonález Rodríguez1, Niurka Batista Santiesteban, Yolanda Valdés Abreu
1Instituto Finlay, Centro de Investigación y Producción de Vacunas y Sueros, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba. andresgles@finlay.edu.cu
Abstract:
The effect of higher Tween 80 concentrations in EMJH synthetic medium on the growth, virulence and antigenecity of Leptospira interrogans serovar mozdok was evaluated for increasing the performances and making a full use of the detoxifying capacity of bovine serum albumin. The growth was spectrophotographically evaluated by the analysis of the bacterial growth kinetics; the obtained biomass performance and the consumption of the carbon source. The virulence was estimated in Syrian Hamster model whereas antigenecity was determined through the microagglutination technique in rabbit's polyclonal antiserum. Under controlled culture conditions, the increase of Tween 80 concentration up to 3.25 mg/ml brought about an acceleration in bacterial metabolism that managed to double cell performances with a full consumption of the carbon source, without affecting virulence and antigenecity for a number of successive subcultures.
Insights
Increasing Tween 80 in Leptospira interrogans growth medium enhanced bacterial metabolism and biomass yield. This optimization doubled cell performance without impacting virulence or antigenicity in Leptospira interrogans serovar mozdok.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Leptospira interrogans serovar mozdok is a significant pathogen.
- Optimizing culture media is crucial for bacterial research and production.
- Tween 80 is a non-ionic surfactant used in microbiological media.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of increased Tween 80 concentrations on Leptospira interrogans serovar mozdok.
- To enhance bacterial growth, virulence, and antigenicity.
- To optimize the use of bovine serum albumin's detoxifying capacity.
Main Methods:
- Spectrophotographic analysis of bacterial growth kinetics.
- Assessment of biomass performance and carbon source consumption.
- Virulence estimation in a Syrian Hamster model.
- Antigenicity determination using microagglutination technique.
Main Results:
- Increased Tween 80 concentration (up to 3.25 mg/ml) accelerated bacterial metabolism.
- Cell performance doubled with complete carbon source consumption.
- No adverse effects on virulence or antigenicity were observed.
- These benefits persisted through successive subcultures.
Conclusions:
- Higher Tween 80 concentrations optimize Leptospira interrogans serovar mozdok cultivation.
- Optimized conditions enhance bacterial yield without compromising pathogenicity.
- This finding supports improved performance in Leptospira research and diagnostics.

