Standard Methods: 9260 I: Leptospira spp. in water by Tube Culture
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Official Method Name
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Detection of Pathogenic Bacteria |
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Current Revision
| Standard Methods Online |
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Media
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WATER |
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Instrumentation
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Tube Culture |
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Method Subcategory
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Microbiological |
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Method Source
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Citation
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Brief Method Summary
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Direct culture method - place a few drops of water in EMJH medium and incubate overnight at 30 deg. C. Filter the inoculated medium through a 0.22 um membrane filter into a sterile tube and reincubate at 30 deg. C. for up to 6 weeks. Observe tubes for a lightly turbid ring of growth just below the surface of the medium. Remove a drip of the culture weekly for darkfield microscopic examination. |
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Scope and Application
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Identification of leptospira in shallow natural waters. |
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Applicable Concentration Range
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Interferences
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Contamination with other bacteria at 60% or higher is not uncommon. Leptospires are sensitive to detergents so keep glassware free of detergent residues. |
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Quality Control Requirements
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None specified |
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Sample Handling
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Water samples are collected in 100 mL to 1 L sterile containers; multiple samples are recommended. Shallow water above sediment is best. |
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Maximum Holding Time
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Not specified but leptospires can survive up to 10 days in natural waters. |
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Relative Cost
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Unknown |
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Sample Preparation Methods
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