Cryptosporidium: new developments in cell culture.
Studies on Cryptosporidium species have been hampered by the limited amount of parasitic stages available for research. One of the major objectives of many laboratories is to develop a reproducible culture model for this important parasite. Recent research has resulted in long-term culturing of Cryptosporidium in cell culture using pH modification, sub-culturing and gamma irradiation. Further advances in the in vitro culturing of Cryptosporidium revealed that this parasite can complete its life cycle in culture medium overcoming the problem of using the host cells, as host cell overgrowth and aging resulted in the termination of the Cryptosporidium life cycle prior to its completion. Improved methods for visualizing life cycle stages in cell-free culture have also been developed. This review will discuss factors that can influence the success of Cryptosporidium culture in vitro and propose new ideas for the future optimization of the cell-free culture system.
Hijjawi
Nawal
N
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The Hashemite University, P.O. Box 150459, Zarqa 13115, Jordan. nhijjawi@hu.edu.jo
D000818:Animals; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000145:classification; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D003470:Culture Media; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D033661:Oocysts / Q000254:growth & development; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000494:pharmacology; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014357:Trypsin
D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D003470:Culture Media; D004202:Disinfectants; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; D014357:Trypsin