Tropheryma whipplei is the causative agent for Whipple's disease. It could not be cultured until recently, when the genomic data showed that it
A) was auxotrophic for some amino acids.
B) was an obligate intracellular pathogen.
C) needed a helper virus to grow.
D) needed high levels of iron.
E) is a virus that needs cell culture.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tropheryma whipplei is auxotrophic for some amino acids, meaning it cannot synthesize all the amino acids it needs to grow and must obtain them from its host. This made it difficult to culture until recent advancements in amino acid supplementation in culture media.

Tropheryma Whipplei Is the Causative Agent for Whipple's Disease