[Effect storage temperature on the biological properties of Leptospira]

No essential changes occurred in the morphology, viability and agglutinability of 212 Leptospira strains belonging to 20 serological groups during 2-year storage in ampoules at temperatures of -60 to -70 degrees C, and 18 to 24 degrees C. After storage lasting 3 and 4 years viability was retained, respectively, by 95.75 and 78.5% of the strains stored at a temperature of -60 to -70 degrees C and by 90.9 and 70% of the strains stored at room temperature. During 4 years of storage at room temperature the agglutinability of the strains decreased 2-8 times. Most of the strains retained their virulence unchanged for 2 years at a temperature of -60 to -70 degrees C.