Abstract
The growth and development of Sarcocystis falcatula in four different cultured cell lines [vero cells, bovine turbinate (BT) cells, equine dermal (ED) cells, and human Hep-2 cells] inoculated with culture-derived merozoites are described. Parasite yields, viability, and plaque forming efficiency were used to compare the growth between different cell lines. Additionally, each cell line was tested at two temperatures of incubation (35°C and 37°C). Based on yield, viability, and plaque forming efficiency, vero cells and BT cells supported growth of S. falcatula better than ED cells and Hep-2 cells. During an 18-day culture period, vero cells produced a mean total of 1.3×107 S. falcatula merozoites/T25 flask, BT cells 1.1×107, ED cells 0.9×107, and Hep-2 cells 0.7×107 merozoites/T25 flask. All experimental cell lines grew equally well at 35°C and 37°C. The type of host cells but not the temperature of incubation had a profound effect on the in vitro growth and proliferation of S. falcatula.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Drs. T.S. Whittam, H.C. Schott, and J.P. Massey for their advice. The authors thank Sally Burns for her expertise in electron microscopy. This work was supported by the following grants: Mansfield: Animal Health Initiative Grant from USDA and distributed through the State of Michigan (71-9419), Intellectual Property Office (71-4668), and Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences Fellowship (71-8758), Michigan State University. The experiments were performed according to the regulations of the Office of Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Safety (ORCBS), Michigan State University and in compliance with USA laws and regulations.
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Elsheikha, H.M., Saeed, M.A., Fitzgerald, S.D. et al. Effects of temperature and host cell type on the in vitro growth and development of Sarcocystis falcatula . Parasitol Res 91, 22–26 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-003-0902-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-003-0902-x