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Evaluation of Alternative Culture Media for Cost-effective and Reliable in vitro Cultivation of Leishmania

Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of commonly available culture media in routine microbiology laboratories for the cultivation of Leishmania tropica (L.tropica) promastigotes. Methods:Various media including yeast extract agar, tryptic soy broth, sabouraud dextrose agar, brucella agar, and Columbia agar were tested.A total of sixteen media were prepared: eight blood-free (BY1-BY8) and eight supplemented with erythrocyte suspension blood-containing medium (KBY1-KBY8).Each medium was inoculated with L. tropica promastigotes at a concentration of 10⁵ promastigotes/mL and incubated for 12 days.Daily promastigote counts were performed to monitor growth.Results: Among the tested media, BY7, BY8, KBY7, and KBY8 showed the most favorable growth patterns.In BY7 and BY8, the promastigote count increased from 10³/mL on day 1 to 10⁴/mL by day 5. BY7 supported continuous growth, reaching 10⁷ promastigotes/mL by day 8 and maintaining this level until day 12. BY8 peaked at 10⁵/mL on day 8 but declined to 10³/mL by day 12. KBY7 and KBY8 both demonstrated rapid growth, reaching 10⁷/mL by day 8 and sustaining this level through the end of incubation. Conclusion:The presence of Columbia agar in BY7, BY8, KBY7, and KBY8 media significantly enhanced L. tropica promastigote proliferation.Due to its low cost, ease of preparation, and availability in routine laboratories, Columbia agar is proposed as a practical and effective alternative to the conventional Novy-McNeal-Nicolle medium for promastigote culture.
DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.64935
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4416840337
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