Effect of freezing conditions in liquid nitrogen on biological properties of Treponema pallidum.

The influence of various conditions of freezing in liquid nitrogen on the motility, virulence, antigens, and immunogenicity of Treponema pallidum was studied. The suspending medium, rate of freezing, kind and concentration of cryprotector, and duration of preincubation with cryoprotector were found to be critical. On the basis of the results obtained the optimal conditions of freezing of T. pallidum in liquid nitrogen were established. These are: the Nelson-Diesendruck medium with the addition of 10% DMSO; freezing rate 1 degree per min, and thawing rate between 12.6 degrees and 120 degrees per min.