Mikroaerofilní

Mikroaerofilní (microaerophilic) refers to a type of microbial growth condition where microorganisms require a limited but specific amount of oxygen for optimal growth and metabolic activity. Unlike obligate aerobes, which require a high concentration of oxygen, or obligate anaerobes, which cannot tolerate oxygen at all, mikroaerofilní organisms thrive in environments with reduced oxygen levels, typically around 2–10% oxygen concentration. This condition is often achieved by using special growth chambers or media that restrict oxygen availability while still allowing trace amounts to diffuse into the culture.

Mikroaerofilní conditions are commonly encountered in microbiology, particularly when cultivating certain bacteria such as *Campylobacter*, *Helicobacter pylori*, and some species of *Listeria*. These organisms often inhabit niches in the human body, such as the gastrointestinal or respiratory tracts, where oxygen levels are naturally low. Maintaining mikroaerofilní conditions in the lab ensures their survival and proper growth for research or diagnostic purposes.

The cultivation of mikroaerofilní microbes typically involves the use of specialized media, such as Brucella or thioglycolate agar, combined with gas-generating systems like CampyPak™ or AnaeroGen™, which create a controlled atmosphere with reduced oxygen and increased carbon dioxide levels. Incubators designed for mikroaerofilní growth may also include precise oxygen regulation to mimic physiological conditions.

Understanding mikroaerofilní requirements is essential in clinical microbiology, food safety, and environmental studies, where accurate identification and cultivation of these organisms are critical for diagnosis, contamination control, and ecological research. Improper oxygen levels can lead to false-negative results or altered microbial behavior, emphasizing the need for careful experimental design.