Abstract: This disclosure relates to microbiological culture plates configured for providing hydrologic stability to an inoculant/sample placed upon solid media held within the plate. A culture plate includes a base section and a lid section shaped to fit upon and enclose the base section. The lid section includes an extension extending downward from an upper surface, and a cover attached to the lower end of the extension. The cover is configured so that when the lid section is placed upon the base section, the cover contacts the inoculant/sample placed upon the solid media in the base section.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure relates to methods for screening clinical samples for the presence of L-form bacteria associated with endometriosis and/or ovarian fibroid tumors. The disclosure is based, in part, on screening methods used to diagnose a subject as likely having or likely not having endometriosis and/or an ovarian fibroid tumor. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of treating endometriosis by administering an antibiotic to a subject that has been determined to be infected by one or more strains of L-form bacteria.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for screening clinical or biological samples to determine the presence of L-form bacteria within the sample. Methods include contacting a sample to a liquid growth medium and incubating the liquid growth medium at a temperature lower than 37 degrees C. The liquid growth medium is monitored for L-form bacterial growth. An amount of the liquid growth medium is transferred as an inoculant to a solid growth medium, and the solid growth medium is incubated under conditions that maintain a hydrated state of the inoculant to enable the L-form bacteria to efficiently interface with the solid growth medium and continue to grow.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for screening clinical or biological samples to determine the presence of L-form bacteria within the sample. Methods include contacting a sample to a liquid growth medium and incubating the liquid growth medium at a temperature lower than 37 degrees C. The liquid growth medium is monitored for L-form bacterial growth. An amount of the liquid growth medium is transferred as an inoculant to a solid growth medium, and the solid growth medium is incubated under conditions that maintain a hydrated state of the inoculant to enable the L-form bacteria to efficiently interface with the solid growth medium and continue to grow.