Virulence of Entamoeba histolytica upon continuous axenic cultivation
Mattern, C.F.; Keister, D.B.; Natovitz, P.C.
Archivos de Investigacion Medica 13(Suppl): 185-190
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0066-6769 PMID: 6295309 Document Number: 183093
Twelve strains of axenically cultured E. histolytica were tested for virulence by intrahepatic inoculation of newborn hamsters on various occasions between late 1975 and early 1980. Only 2 virulent and 3 relatively avirulent strains were stable in virulence. The remaining 7 strains showed major changes, 3 increasing, 2 decreasing and 2 fluctuating in virulence. When virulence is important to current investigations, it would appear necessary to verify the virulence status of most strains of E. histolytica. [AS].