A quantitative method to evaluate neutralizer toxicity against Acanthamoeba castellanii.

A standard methodology for quantitatively evaluating neutralizer toxicity against Acanthamoeba castellanii does not exist. The objective of this study was to provide a quantitative method for evaluating neutralizer toxicity against A. castellanii. Two methods were evaluated. A quantitative microtiter method for enumerating A. castellanii was evaluated by a 50% lethal dose endpoint method. The microtiter method was compared with the hemacytometer count method. A method for determining the toxicity of neutralizers for antimicrobial agents to A. castellanii was also evaluated. The toxicity to A. castellanii of Dey-Engley neutralizing broth was compared with Page's saline. The microtiter viable cell counts were lower than predicted by the hemacytometer counts. However, the microtiter method gives more reliable counts of viable cells. Dey-Engley neutralizing medium was not toxic to A. castellanii. The method presented gives consistent, reliable results and is simple compared with previous methods.