title: The use of human plasmas and plasma-depleted blood fractions in the in vitro cultivation of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.
abstract: The decreasing availability of whole blood and serum from blood banks led us to investigate the suitability of untreated and heat-treated human plasma, as well as of plasma-depleted blood fractions, for routine culturing of P. falciparum. The practical problems of using plasma instead of serum were addressed and the effect of storage conditions tested. We conclude that plasma is a convenient and effective substitute for serum, and that plasma-depleted blood fractions are as receptive to parasite infection as unprocessed blood.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Applied Molecular Biology, University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, U.K.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Read
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hyde
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001769:Blood; D003470:Culture Media; D006801:Humans; D010949:Plasma; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000254:growth & development*
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media