Retention of Plasmodium berghei sporozoites within perfused mouse livers.
A mouse liver perfusion model was adapted to evaluate the efficiency of the liver in retaining Plasmodium berghei sporozoites. Specific numbers of sporozoites were perfused into each liver via a portal vein cannula. The numbers of sporozoites in the perfusate effluent were counted and the percent sporozoite retention calculated. Over 95% of sporozoites suspended in medium with plasma were retained in a normal liver following a single passage. Sporozoites were seen in sinusoids of perfused livers using scanning electron microscopy. This liver perfusion model offers a valuable method to help clarify sporozoite interactions with elements of the liver.
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000469:parasitology*; D008288:Malaria / Q000469:parasitology; D051379:Mice; D010477:Perfusion; D010962:Plasmodium berghei / Q000502:physiology*