A basic study of chemotaxis of leptospiras.
Chemotaxis of leptospiras was studied using a U-tube made of a commercially available straw-shaped polypropylene tube with an uneven flexible part. The U-tube was made by folding the polypropylene tube double and binding the vertical parts by a piece of tape, thus making the uneven flexible part the bottom. Semi-solid Korthof's medium was poured into the U-tube. Preliminary experiments showed that the medium containing 0.5% agar and measuring 2 cm in in length was appropriate. Leptospiras inoculated on the top of the medium of one side of the U-tube moved toward the top of the medium of the other side. The leptospiral move toward the uninoculated top was significantly faster when 6 micrograms of hemoglobin were added to the uninoculated top. Chemotaxis of leptospiras to hemoglobin was thus shown, which is the first evidence of chemotaxis of leptospiras.
Hiramune
T
T
School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Ebetsu, Japan.
Shiraiwa
C
C
Kikuchi
N
N
Yanagawa
R
R
D002633:Chemotaxis; D003470:Culture Media; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D007921:Leptospira interrogans / Q000502:physiology*
D003470:Culture Media; D006454:Hemoglobins