title: Large scale culture technique for pure Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes.
abstract: A large scale technique for pure gametocyte cultures of Plasmodium falciparum was established in culture flasks by using treated erythrocytes and RPMI medium supplemented with 15% human plasma instead of serum. Pure gametocyte cultures were successfully obtained following treatment with 5% sorbitol on day 8 and 9 of cultivation. This method resulted in approximately 97% reduction of asexual parasites and provided pure gametocytes in culture. The highest numbers of gametocytes were obtained from cultures starting with 2% parasitemia and 2% erythrocyte suspension. On day 12 of cultivation, approximately 35 x 10(6) gametocytes per 100 ml of cell suspension could be harvested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Petmitr
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pongvilairat
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wilairat
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D005718:Gametogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000469:parasitology; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000254:growth & development*; D013012:Sorbitol
chemical_list: D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D013012:Sorbitol