TOXOPLASMA-GONDII IN-VITRO CULTIVATION - EASY HANDLING LONG-TERM PROPAGATION

Based on a serum-free and CO2-independent culture of Toxoplasma gondii in vitro, a long-term propagation of a highly virulent strain of this parasite was developed. Toxoplasma monolayer cultures were fed on a w eekly cycle with native host cells (HEp-2) while changing the medium, thus simultaneously removing cell debris and just bred trophozoites. E stablishing this method was of low effort in organisation and alterati ons, as the technique is harmonised with a routine laboratory activity . We were successful in propagating the parasite in vitro for half a y ear without any loss of infectivity or decrease of the rate of multipl ication. The advantages of this in vitro model are a considerable redu ction of the financial expenditure on one hand and of the risk of a co ntamination on the other.