[In vitro cultivation of Echinococcus multilocularis metacestodes and observation of their growth].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the growth and development of Echinococcus multilocularis metacestodes under in vitro cultivation.


METHODS
Hepatoma cell line was used for the cultivation. The number and morphology of the cysts were observed under light microscope. The parasite tissue was fixed and observed under electron microscope.


RESULTS
During the first 21 days of cultivation, metacestodes in cyst-suspension derived cultures increased dramatically, and from the 22nd day on, the number of cysts remained as 6-7 times more than that of the 3rd-4th day of culture. Budding of new cysts was observed and the diameter of the cysts increased as time went on. On the 22nd day, larger cysts occupied 30%. Cysts were found with morphology between protoscolex and metacestode.


CONCLUSIONS
An in vitro cultivation for the cysts of E. multilocularis has been established and basic feature of growth and development of the larvae observed.
Zhang
Ya-Lou
YL
Xinjiang Hydatid Clinical Research Institute, The First Teaching Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830054, China.
Wang
Ting-Ting
TT
Zhou
Xiao-Tao
XT
Jiang
Tao
T
Qi
Xin-Wei
XW
Liu
Hui
H
Liu
Tao
T
Lin
Ren-Yong
RY
Wen
Hao
H
D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006224:Cricetinae; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000469:parasitology*; D048210:Echinococcus multilocularis / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission