ESTABLISHMENT OF A PRIMARY CULTURE OF ECHINOCOCCUS-MULTILOCULARIS GERMINAL CELLS

This study was designed to establish an in vitro primary culture of ge rminal cells of Echinococcus multilocularis, isl a parasite that cause s alveolar echinococcosis of the liver (AEL). We also investigated the temperature-dependency of the cultured cells. The,germinal cells, whi ch originated from a human lesion, were cultured by an original fluid- suspension method at 25 degrees C or 37 degrees C for 4 weeks. Anchora ge-dependent and -independent cells were observed by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and immunocytochemistry to confirm their origin. Cell number and viability were examined by immunocytoche mistry and mitochondrial exclusion test. The cultured cells were also inoculated into jirds (Meriones unguiculatus) to evaluate metacestode formation, Morphology and immunocytochemistry showed that the cultured cells were typically germinal cells. The cell number declined gradual ly over the 4-week culture period? but viability remained at 50% at 3 weeks, These findings were not associated with either of the two cultu re temperatures: moreover, host-associated cells were not noted in the cultured cells at 25 degrees C. The implanted cells formed metacestod es in the jird peritoneal cavity, and their histology demonstrated mat ure and typical alveolar-type echinococcal cysts. We successfully esta blished an in vitro primary culture of germinal cells. This should con tribute to future studies, and, hence, a better outcome for patients w ith AEL.