Excerpt:

In this study we compared some common Bartonella culturing methodologies
using four diverse species causing human illnesses. Based on a review of the
literature, we focused on three major inconsistencies between protocols:
base media, cell co-culture and temperature. Our data showed that B. tamiae
demonstrated temperature-dependent growth limitations between common
culturing conditions only 2 degrees C apart. Additionally, growth of B.
quintana was significantly enhanced by the presence of mammalian cell
co-culture within mammalian culture conditions, however when the media was
modified to incorporate insect culture-based media, co-culturing with
mammalian cells was no longer needed. In this study, we were able to
overcome these temperature and cell dependent limitations and accommodate
all of the strains tested by combining mammalian culture-based media with
insect culture-based media.