Study on the culture of Balantidium coli in DMEM medium in vitro.

Objective Development of the vitro culture of Balantidium coli in DMEM medium is crucial to the further study of the life cycle and pathogenetic mechanism of this intestinal protozoa.Methods The population growth of B.coli under different culture conditions,including concentrations of starch and serum,and the initial pH value and various dosages of trophozoites in DMEM medium were compared.Results Results indicated that 20 mg/bottle of starch and 20% serum in the DMEM medium were appropriate for culturing B.coli.The optimal initial pH value was 7.0.The natural population growth rate and the maximum population density clearly differed with different seeded doses of B.coli.Conclusion These findings suggest that DMEM medium could be used to culture B.coli.