ASCP Parasitology Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The most effective recovery method for Acanthamoeba species from lens care solutions or biopsies is non-nutrient agar cultures seeded with E. coli. This method is particularly relevant because Acanthamoeba species, which can be associated with keratitis and other infections, require specific growth conditions to thrive. Non-nutrient agar provides a minimal nutrient environment, while the added E. coli serves as a microbial food source. This combination enhances the chances of isolating the amoeba, as Acanthamoeba can feed on bacteria, thereby promoting its growth on the agar.

The other agar types mentioned do not provide an optimal environment for the growth of Acanthamoeba species. Blood agar plates are typically designed for the cultivation of fastidious organisms such as bacteria, while MacConkey agar is selective for gram-negative bacteria and would not support amoebic growth. Potato dextrose agar is more suitable for fungi and may not provide the necessary conditions for Acanthamoeba isolation. Thus, non-nutrient agar seeded with E. coli is the most effective method for recovering these organisms from pertinent samples.