The use of cycloheximide-treated cells for isolating trachoma agents under field conditions

Standard procedures for the isolation of Chlamydia trachomatis require pretreatment of the tissue culture cells. We evaluated the use of cycloheximide, an antimetabolite that can be added to the cells with the inoculum. Cycloheximide-treated cells provided a sensitive system for isolating trachoma agents. This system was applicable to field studies as requirements for equipment were minimal and the cells were 2 weeks old when inoculated.