title: L-cysteine replaces microaerophilous culture conditions for the in vitro initiation of Theileria equi.
abstract: Fifty-one blood samples of carrier horses from Theileria equi-endemic localities in South Africa were used for two different methods of in vitro culture initiation of T. equi parasites. Cultures were initiated either in a oxygen-reduced gas mixture or in a 5% CO2-in-air atmosphere in combination with L-cysteine-supplemented culture medium. Out of the 51 blood samples, 43 and 42 cultures, respectively, became culture positive. A possible explanation for this observation is proposed.
authors.affiliation: Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Private Bag X5, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa, ZweygarthE@gmail.com.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zweygarth
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Josemans
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002353:Carrier State; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D046508:Culture Techniques; D003545:Cysteine / Q000737:chemistry*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000469:parasitology; D006736:Horses / Q000469:parasitology; D013019:South Africa; D016794:Theileria / Q000254:growth & development*; D013801:Theileriasis / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D003545:Cysteine