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Improved culture of Histomonas meleagridis in a modification of Dwyer medium
Harold M J F van der Heijdena1, Wil J M Landman
1Animal Health Service (GD), P.O. Box 9, 7400 AA Deventer, The Netherlands. h.vd.heijden@gddeventer.com
Abstract:
Dwyer medium is the most frequently employed culture medium for Histomonas meleagridis. Both for subculturing and for resuscitation of H. meleagridis from storage in liquid nitrogen, modified Dwyer medium with an increased rice powder concentration (0.8%) and no chicken embryo extract proved superior to Dwyer standard medium, with threefold (10(6.3) vs. 10(5.8) histomonads/ml) to 10-fold (10(6.7) vs. 10(5.8) histomonads/ml) higher concentrations of parasites after resuscitation or subculturing, respectively.
Insights
A modified Dwyer medium with more rice powder and no chicken embryo extract enhances Histomonas meleagridis culture. This improved medium is superior for subculturing and reviving the parasite from liquid nitrogen storage.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Microbiology
- Cell Culture
Background:
- Histomonas meleagridis is a significant poultry pathogen.
- Dwyer medium is the standard for culturing Histomonas meleagridis.
- Optimizing culture conditions is crucial for research and control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a modified Dwyer medium for Histomonas meleagridis culture.
- To compare the efficacy of modified vs. standard Dwyer medium for parasite resuscitation and subculturing.
Main Methods:
- Histomonas meleagridis was cultured using standard Dwyer medium and a modified version.
- The modified medium featured increased rice powder (0.8%) and omitted chicken embryo extract.
- Parasite concentrations were compared after resuscitation from liquid nitrogen and during subculturing.
Main Results:
- The modified Dwyer medium yielded significantly higher parasite concentrations.
- Resuscitation from liquid nitrogen showed a threefold increase in histomonads/ml (10(6.3) vs. 10(5.8)).
- Subculturing resulted in a 10-fold higher concentration of parasites (10(6.7) vs. 10(5.8)).
Conclusions:
- A modified Dwyer medium with enhanced rice powder is superior for Histomonas meleagridis culture.
- This optimized medium improves both parasite resuscitation and subculturing efficiency.
- The findings offer a more effective method for maintaining Histomonas meleagridis in vitro.
