A simple method for isolating viable mature parasites of Plasmodium falciparum from cultures.
Mature asexual parasites from cultures of knobby or knobless clones of P. falciparum containing 5 to 10% late forms were harvested by layering up to 10(9) erythrocytes on 3 ml Percoll. The density of the Percoll was adjusted to between 1.081 and 1.091 g cm-3, depending on the maturity of the parasites. Centrifugation at 1500 g for 10 min produced a sharp band at the interface containing mature parasites with a purity averaging 86%. Washed parasites derived from the layer or pellet showed good viability in vitro.
D000818:Animals; D003470:Culture Media; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology; D010274:Parasitology / Q000379:methods; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011205:Povidone; D012822:Silicon Dioxide
D003470:Culture Media; C016039:Percoll; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D011205:Povidone