A new method for routine isolation of oral treponemes using U-tubes and pectin medium

Autor: Robert M. Smibert, Leif Tronstad, Ingar Olsen, Polly Cooper, UIf R. Dahle
Rok vydání: 1995
Předmět:
Zdroj: Anaerobe. 1(6)
ISSN: 1075-9964
Popis: Determination of the composition of the oral microflora has traditionally been based on cultivation. Treponemes are prevalent in many oral infections but, unfortunately, are not regularly cultured. In this study a new method was established for routine isolation of oral treponemes from clinical samples. Bacterial samples from 47 periodontal pockets and 4 endodontic infections were incubated anaerobically under nitrogen atmosphere at 37°C in U-tubes containing pectin medium. In the U-tube a 'bacterial sample side' and a 'sterile medium side' were established on separate sides of a membrane filter and an agar plug. Using this method we were able to isolate viable treponemes from all bacterial samples. This was in contrast to previously established methods such as the agar dilution technique, the technique involving the membrane filter placed on the surface of solid agar media and the well in agar plate technique. We believe that the 'U-tube method' is a valuable supplement to previously described techniques in routine isolation of treponemes from clinical samples.
Databáze: OpenAIRE