ESTABLISHMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A CELL-LINE FROM THE MOSQUITO ANOPHELES-ALBIMANUS (DIPTERA, CULICIDAE)

A new cell line designated LSB-AA695BB, was established from embryos o f the mosquito Anopheles albimanus. The primary culture was initiated in April, 1995, and the first passage was made 48 days later: Serial s ubcultures of the cells have been carried through 90 passages from Abr il 1995 to February 1996. The cells were grown at 28 degrees C in MK/V P12 medium, supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum; the pH tolerance ranged between 6.8 to 7.0. The cells have also been adapted to MM/VP1 2 medium under the same pH, temperature and serum concentration. The m ajority of the cells were a fibroblast-type. Isozyme characterization showed a pattern similar to that of An. albimanus pupae and adults but distinct from Ae. taeniorhynchus and Ae. albopictus (C6/36) mosquito cell lines. The culture was shown to be free of mycoplasma, bacteria a nd fungi. Microsporidia contamination of transovarial transmission was controlled with 6.0 mu g/ml of albendazole.