Virulence of Naegleria fowleri affected by axenic cultivation and passage in mice Dotaz Zobrazit nápovědu
The virulence of Naegleria fowleri decreases with prolonged axenic cultivation. The decline in virulence of highly virulent, mouse-passaged LEE strain amebae was monitored during 5 years of continuous axenic cultivation. The most rapid decrease in virulence occurred during the first 2 years. Virulence could be restored to original levels by 3 serial passages in mice. The composition of axenic media also affected the virulence of N. fowleri, with a more enriched medium appearing to restore some of the virulence of a weakly virulent strain.