title: Improvement of growth of Chlamydia pneumoniae on HEp-2 cells by pretreatment with polyethylene glycol in combination with additional centrifugation and extension of culture time.
abstract: The following adaptations led to improved growth of Chlamydia pneumoniae on HEp-2 cells compared to that by the standard method: monolayer preincubation with 7% polyethylene glycol (PEG), extension of incubation time to 7 days, and extension of incubation to 7 days in combination with centrifugation on days 3, 4, and 5. These adaptations resulted in approximate increases in numbers of inclusion-forming units (IFU) of 2-, 5-, and 69-fold, respectively. A combination of preincubation with PEG, prolonged incubation, and centrifugation on days 3, 4, and 5 increased the numbers of IFU >300-fold. This is therefore recommended as the optimal method for culturing C. pneumoniae.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. jtj@lmib.azm.nl
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Tjhie
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Roosendaal
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: MacLaren
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Vandenbroucke-Grauls
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002460:Cell Line; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000254:growth & development*; D003470:Culture Media; D006801:Humans; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols