A method for purifying obligate intracellular Coxiella burnetii that employs digitonin lysis of host cells

J Microbiol Methods. 2008 Mar;72(3):321-5. doi: 10.1016/j.mimet.2007.12.015. Epub 2008 Jan 12.

Abstract

Purification of the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii requires physical disruption of infected cells. Here we describe a gentle and safe digitonin lysis procedure to release C. burnetii from infected cells. The purity, yield, and infectivity of digitonin-prepped organisms are comparable to that of organisms purified using cell lysis by sonication.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteriological Techniques / methods*
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Coxiella burnetii / cytology
  • Coxiella burnetii / isolation & purification*
  • Coxiella burnetii / ultrastructure
  • Digitonin / metabolism*
  • Microscopy
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Vero Cells

Substances

  • Digitonin