A method for microbial decontamination ofAcanthamoeba cultures using the peritoneal cavity of mice

摘要

Objective:To evaluate whether the inoculation of contaminated cultures in the peritoneal cavity of mice could implement decontamination ofAcanthamoeba cultures. Methods: Suspensions ofAcanthamoeba,Acanthamoeba polyphagaATCC30461, or Acanthamoeba spp. isolated from soil (UnB13 strain) were inoculated in the peritoneal cavity of Swiss mice (n = 24). After 1, 6, 12, or 24 h of exposure the peritoneal cavity was washed and assessed for the presence of bacteria, fungi, andAcanthamoeba. Results: After 1 h of intraperitoneal inoculation at least 97% of the bacteria and 96% of the fungi (P < 0.05) and 99% of the bacteria (P < 0.05) were successfully eliminated from the ATCC30461 strain and from the soil isolate UnB13 strain, respectively. This method also allowed the recovery of most trophozoites and cysts from bothAcanthamoeba cultures at the end of 24 h. Conclusions: Our data demonstrated that this technique has great potential for decontamination ofAcanthamoeba cultures in a short period of time.