Method for continuously culturing
The present invention relates to a method of culturing bacterial organisms belonging to the family Anaplasmataceae in mammalian embryonic or fetal cells. In particular, the present invention is directed to growth of bacterial organisms belonging to the family Anaplasmataceae including organisms belonging to the Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Neorickettsia genera. The bacterial organisms may be cultured in mammalian embryonic or fetal host cells including feline embryonic host cells. Bacterial material cultured according to the methods described herein may be used as the basis for vaccines against diseases associated with the Anaplasmataceae bacteria, or as the basis for diagnostic applications useful for diagnosing diseases associated with the Anaplasmataceae bacteria.
1. A method for continuously culturing Ehrlichia canis comprising:
i) obtaining Ehrlichia canis;
ii) obtaining feline embryonic fibroblast cells;
iii) infecting the feline embryonic fibroblast cells with said Ehrlichia canis ; and
iv) continuously culturing said feline embryonic fibroblast cells in feline embryonic cell growth medium under conditions conducive to propagating the feline embryonic fibroblast cells, thereby continuously culturing the Ehrlichia canis.
2. A method for continuously culturing Ehrlichia canis comprising:
i) infecting a mammal with Ehrlichia canis;
ii) obtaining infected tissue from the infected mammal;
iii) obtaining feline embryonic fibroblast cells;
iv) contacting the feline embryonic fibroblast cells with the infected tissue; and
v) continuously culturing said feline embryonic fibroblast cells in feline embryonic cell growth medium under conditions conducive to propagating the feline embryonic fibroblast cells, thereby continuously culturing the Ehrlichia canis.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the infected tissue from the infected mammal is a spleen homogenate.