Human serum for in vitro cultivation of Babesia bovis.
Various combinations of human serum (from blood of groups A and Rhesus positive) with bovine serum, i.e. 20% + 20% (Medium I), 30% + 10% (II), 40% + 0% (III) and 0% + 40% (IV) and Medium-199 (60%) were used in the propagation of Babesia bovis. Babesia bovis stabilate revived by inoculation in a bovine calf was used at a level of 6% parasitized erythrocytes (PPE). The medium was replenished every 24 h. The medium changed from bright red to dark-coffee color every 24 h. The increase in PPE was maximal between 24 and 48 h. It was also observed that the increase in PPE was significantly higher in a 1:2 dilution compared with a 1:1 dilution. The increase in PPE was highest in Medium I with a 50% replacement of bovine with human serum. However, the parasites could not be subcultured and maintained continuously. Fifty percent replacement was thus optimal for the human-bovine serum combination in a microaerophilous stationary phase (MASP) system. The results indicate that B. bovis can also multiply in a human/bovine serum MASP culture system at least for a period of 48 h, and this is consistent with the zoonotic nature of Babesia species.
Mishra
A K
AK
Division of Parasitology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar.
Clabaugh
G
G
Kakoma
I
I
D000818:Animals; D016793:Babesia bovis / Q000254:growth & development*; D001769:Blood; D002417:Cattle; D003470:Culture Media; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D015047:Zoonoses
D003470:Culture Media