title: Density gradient centrifugation for separation of different stages of Toxoplasma gondii.
abstract: Suitable procedures for separation of various stages of Toxoplasma gondii by density gradient centrifugation have been delineated using peritoneal exudate of infected mouse as a model. Separation from host cells was effected by gradient centrifugation at 450 g for 30 minutes. Using Ficoll, dextran and sucrose, average parasite recoveries by pooling up to and including the peak fraction of 73.65%, 66.18% and 65.68% respectively were obtained. Toxoplasma trophozoites peaked at density of 1.040 g/ml with Ficoll, 1.060 g/ml with dextran and 1.110 g/ml with sucrose. In view of successful separation of exo-enteric stages of Toxoplasma by density gradient centrifugation, possible application of this method to isolation of various endo-enteric stages is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D003911:Dextrans; D005362:Ficoll; D051379:Mice; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D003911:Dextrans; D005362:Ficoll