Growth of Pneumocystis Carinii in Axenic Culture

SUMMARY In this research, which was done for two years, we investigated various liquid and solid media without feeder ceells, for the ability to support growth of P. carinii. Data obtained from counting the organisms nuclei showed that, addition of Cyclo­heximide, penicillin, & streptomycin to neopeptone­N-Acetyle Glucoseamine (N.P.G. medium) can provides growth requirements of organism in its trophozoites form. We found that, preculture adjacence of P. carinii with group A streptococci or addition of some reducing substances, or vitamines to N.P.G. would increase the growth rate of organism. It was also shown that, addition of Neopeptone, N-Acetyl-Glucoseamine, and lowering its PH to 4-0, Rosewell Park Memorial Institute medium (R.P.M.I.), can also provides organisms growth. And also addition of agar & humans blood group Oto N.P.G. can enable P carinii to growth on the slant, and produce micro colonies.