Culture for Amoebae

Cultures for amoebae have improved detection in some studies, but they are not widely used. Although Giardia spp. have been cultured in research laboratories, cultures are not useful for diagnosis. 

A variety of culture media for amebae have been described, and some may be purchased from commercial mecuum manufacturers. The method described here uses the modified charcoal agar slant diphasic medium described by McQuay. 

Place 3 ml of sterile 0.5% phosphate-buffered saline on a charcoal agar slant. 

(a) Inoculate the medium with fecal specimen (approximately 

5 ml of liquid specimen or a 0.5-cm sphere of formed specimen) which is mixed with the saline overlay. 

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