Which culture method is used to grow Acanthamoeba in the laboratory?

Which culture method is used to grow Acanthamoeba in the laboratory?

• A. Thayer Martin agar
• B. Sabouraud agar
• C. Chocolate agar
• D. Non-nutrient agar with heat-killed E. coli

Answer: (D)

Acanthamoeba grows best on non-nutrient agar that is overlaid with heat-killed E. coli because the amoebae feed on bacteria, providing a simple, controlled food source without allowing bacterial overgrowth. The non-nutrient surface itself doesn’t supply nutrients, so the only growth cue comes from the bacteria the amoebae consume, allowing trophozoites and cysts to develop for observation. Other media are designed to culture bacteria or fungi and don’t offer this bacterial food source on a minimal surface, which is why they aren’t used for growing Acanthamoeba.

Acanthamoeba grows best on non-nutrient agar that is overlaid with heat-killed E. coli because the amoebae feed on bacteria, providing a simple, controlled food source without allowing bacterial overgrowth. The non-nutrient surface itself doesn’t supply nutrients, so the only growth cue comes from the bacteria the amoebae consume, allowing trophozoites and cysts to develop for observation. Other media are designed to culture bacteria or fungi and don’t offer this bacterial food source on a minimal surface, which is why they aren’t used for growing Acanthamoeba.