GROWTH STUDIES AND PLATE COUNTING OF LEPTOSPIRES

Abstract

Evidence is presented which indicates that colonies of leptospires result from the growth of single cells. Growth curves of three species of leptospires have been constructed using plate counts as indices of growth, and generation times have been calculated from these curves. Single viable cells have been shown to be capable of initiating growth in tryptose phosphate serum broth. Evidence has been presented which indicates the possibility of using streak plates for isolation and plate counts for measuring leptospiremia in infected animals. The significance of colony formation by leptospires is discussed.