title: Development and evaluation of a blood-free medium for determining growth curves and optimizing growth of Rochalimaea henselae.
abstract: Two strains of Rochalimaea henselae were used to optimize a blood-free growth medium. Seven agar bases, four broths, and combinations of eight supplements were evaluated. Acceptable growth was achieved in media containing Fildes solution and hemin, with the best growth demonstrated in brucella broth or on brucella agar with 6 to 8% Fildes solution and 250 micrograms of hemin per ml. R. henselae utilized hemin in concentrations six times that utilized by Rochalimaea quintana. Erythrocyte membrane was necessary to achieve the full growth-promoting effect of rabbit blood.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles 90024.
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Schwartzman
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Nesbit
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Baron
mesh_terms: D000362:Agar; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D003470:Culture Media; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D016996:Rickettsieae / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D000362:Agar