title: Growth of Babesia bigemina parasites in suspension cultures for vaccine production.
abstract: An Australian Babesia bigemina vaccine strain was maintained in suspension culture for 40 days. Parasite growth was compared using two tissue-culture flask sizes (25 and 75 cm2), four gas mixes (2%, 2.5%, 3% and 3.5% O2; 5% CO2; and the balance N2) and four packed blood cell (PCV) volumes (7%, 9%, 13% and 18%). The best continuous parasite yields were obtained from suspension cultures in 75-cm2 flasks at a PCV of 13% and gas mixtures of 2%-3% O2, 5% CO2 and the balance N2. Parasite yields per millilitre of culture medium were 3 times those obtained in microaerophilous stationary-phase cultures. The method has thus far been used for 6 months to produce the Australian requirements for live B. bigemina vaccine.
authors.affiliation: Tick Fever Research Centre, Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Australia.
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Jorgensen
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Waldron
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McGrath
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Roman
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: de Vos
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001403:Babesia / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology; D003470:Culture Media; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines