Abstract
Several components were tested for their ability to replace human serum in cultures ofPlasmodium falciparum set up for the development of gametocytes. Besides a serum-free medium, A*I*M*V (Gibco BRL), RPMI medium supplemented with commercially available serum substitutes was used to culture gametocytes. The following substances served as serum replacements: Basal Medium Supplement (Biochrom), Ultroser G (Gibco BRL) and Nutridoma-SR (Boehringer Mannheim). All serum-free additives supported some parasite growth, but only in RPMI supplemented with Nutridoma-SR were morphologically mature gametocytes obtained. The asexual forms developed almost as well as in RPMI with human serum added.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barnes D, Sato G (1980) Methods for growth of cultured cells in serum-free medium. Anal Biochem 102:255–270
Carter R, Miller LH (1979) Evidence for environmental modulation of gametocytogenesis inPlasmodium falciparum in continuous culture. Bull WHO 57 [Suppl 1]:37–52
Divo AA, Jensen JB (1982) Studies on serum requirements for the cultivation ofPlasmodium falciparum. 1. Animal sera. Bull WHO 60:565–569
Grun JL, Weidanz WP (1987) Cultivation ofPlasmodium falciparum in commercially available sera depleted of natural antibodies reactive with human erythrocytes. J Parasitol 73:384–388
Ifediba T, Vanderberg JP (1981) Complete in vitro maturation ofPlasmodium falciparum gametocytes. Nature 294:364–366
Jensen JB (1988) In vitro cultivation of malaria parasites: erythrocytic stages. In: Wernsdorfer WH, McGregor I (eds) Malaria—principles and practice of malariology. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh pp 307–320
Jensen JB, Boland MT, Hayes M, Akood MA (1982)Plasmodium falciparum: a rapid assay for in vitro inhibition due to human serum from residents of malarious areas. Exp Parasitol 54:416–424
Lambros C, Vanderberg JP (1979) Synchronisation ofPlasmodium falciparum erythrocytic stages in culture. J Parasitol 65:418–420
Mohapatra T, Hommel M (1985) Possible use of a serum substitute for the cultivation ofPlasmodium falciparum — laboratory meeting. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 79:275–282
Nivet C, Guilotte M, Silva LP da (1983)Plasmodium falciparum: one-step growth in a semi-defined medium and the stimulatory effect of human seric lipoproteins and liposomes. Exp Parasitol 55:147–151
Okoye VC, Martin SK (1989) Defined plasma-free media for the cultivation ofPlasmodium falciparum. 38th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Dec. 1989, Honolulu [Abstract 243]
Ponnudurai T, Meuwissen JHET, Leeuwenberg ADEM, Verhave JP, Lensen AHW (1982) The production of mature gametocytes ofPlasmodium falciparum in continuous cultures of different isolates infective to mosquitoes. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 76:242–250
Sax LJ, Rieckmann KH (1980) Use of rabbit serum in the cultivation ofPlasmodium falciparum. J Parasitol 66:621–624
Siddiqui WA, Richmond-Crum SM (1977) Fatty acid-free bovine albumin as plasma replacement for in vitro cultivation ofPlasmodium falciparum. J Parasitol 63:583–584
Trager W, Jensen JB (1976) Human malaria parasites in continuous culture. Science 193:673–675
Tran Nguyen VA (1990) Versuche zur Entwicklung vonPlasmodium falciparum ohne Verwendung von Humanserum. Dissertation, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn
Willet GP, Canfield CJ (1984)Plasmodium falciparum: Continuous cultivation of erythrocyte stages in plasma-free culture medium. Exp Parasitol 57:76–80
Wilms BAL (1992) Über den Einfluß menschlicher Plazenta-Extrakte auf das in-vitro Wachstum vonPlasmodium falciparum. Dissertation, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lingnau, A., Margos, G., Maier, W.A. et al. Serum-free cultivation ofPlasmodium falciparum gametocytes in vitro. Parasitol Res 79, 378–384 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00931826
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00931826