Abstract:
Chemically defined media, termed SFMC-23 and SFMC-36, were devised for
the in vitro culture of Cowdria ruminantium, the causative agent of
heartwater in domestic ruminants. Both media were based on Dulbecco's
modified Eagle's medium nutrient mixture Ham F-12 (DME/F-12) containing
various supplements. Medium SFMC-23 and SFMC-36 supported the long-term
growth of the Welgevonden stock of C. ruminantium for a total of 55 and
28 passages, respectively, with regular passage intervals of 3 days.
Using SFMC-23, split ratios varied from 5-10, depending on which host
cell line was used. Other stocks of C. ruminantium (Sankat,
Blaauwkrantz, Senegal) were successfully propagated for a test period of
ten passages.
