In vitro cultivation of a Babesia sp. from cattle in South Africa.
A South African Babesia sp. of cattle which is as yet unclassified, was continuously cultivated in micro-aerophilous stationary-phase culture. The parasites were resuscitated from a blood stabilate stored in liquid nitrogen. A modified HL-1 medium supplemented with either horse or bovine serum was used. Cultures were initiated in a humidified atmosphere containing 2% O2, 5% CO2 and 93% N2 at 37 degrees C. Parasites were detected on Giemsa-stained smears after 2 d in culture. On day 4, the cultures were split at a ratio of 1:2 (v/v) and transferred into a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air. Starting from day 6, subcultures were made daily at a ratio of 1:4 (v/v). The percentage of parasitized erythrocytes ranged from 2-5%. Addition of purine bases (hypoxanthine, adenine, adenosine or guanosine) was essential for the continuous propagation of the parasites when bovine, but not horse serum, was used for medium supplementation.
Zweygarth
E
E
Protozoology Division, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, South Africa.
Van Niekerk
C
C
Just
M C
MC
De Waal
D T
DT
D000818:Animals; D001403:Babesia / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000469:parasitology; D002417:Cattle / Q000469:parasitology*; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000662:veterinary; D003470:Culture Media; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology; D013019:South Africa
D003470:Culture Media