Comparison of MKP and BSK-H media for the cultivation and isolation of < i > Borrelia burgdorferi < /i > sensu lato

by Eva Ru žić-Sabljić, Vera Maraspin, Daša Stupica, Tereza Rojko, Petra Bogovič, Franc Strle, Tjaša Cerar The isolation ofB.burgdorferi sensu lato requires the use of complex cultivation media. The aim of the study was to compare the usefulness of BSK-H (a commercial medium produced by HiMedia, India) and MKP medium. MKP and BSK-H media were prepared in accordance with the relevant protocols.Borrelia strains and skin culture biopsies were simultaneously inoculated into both media, incubated and checked for growth. Borrelial growth characteristics, isolation rates and characteristics of the isolated borreliae were analysed and compared. Initially, numbers of spirochaetes were higher in BSK-H than in MKP; however, in comparison with MKP, the strains subcultured in BSK-H medium were more frequently irregular, thin and non-motile, and rapidly died. In addition, the borrelial isolation rate from erythema migrans skin samples was higher in MKP than in BSK-H medium (108/171, 63.2% versus 70/171, 40.9%; p
Source: PLoS One - Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Source Type: research