Enhanced retention of motility and virulence of treponema pallidum (nichols strain) in vitro by the addition of gelatin to anaerobic medium

Abstract

The effect of gelatin on the survival of Treponema pallidum (Nichols strain) in anaerobic maintenance medium was investigated by monitoring of the retention of treponemal motility and virulence. Motility of' T. pallidum was determined by dark-field microscopy, and virulence of T. pallidum was measured by observation of the latent periods of infection after inoculation of rabbits with virulent organisms. Gelatin concentrations of zero, 3%, 5%, 10%; and 15% were tested, and optimal retention of treponemal motility and virulence was observed at 5% and 10% gelatin. © 1981 American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association.