Cultivation and survival studies of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a human diploid cell strain.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae was cultivated in a human diploid cell strain (WI-38). Eighty percent of the cultures contained viable gonococci for at least 4 m at 36°C, as evidenced by subculture to brain heart infusion broth. Monthly subcultures of bacteria could be made to fresh WI-38 cultures for at least 11 monthly passages with a 69% survival rate. The identity of gonococci was confirmed by morphology, gram staining, oxidase testing and fermentation reactions. Viability in brain heart infusion broth, minimum essential medium (Eagle), and WI-38 spent fluid was of much shorter duration. The organisms grown in WI-38 cultures appeared to orient largely in the vicinity of the WI-38 cells as well as within the cytoplasm of the cells.
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002460:Cell Line; D004171:Diploidy; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000254:growth & development*