In vitro cultivation of Toxoplasma gondii in various cell cultures

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate various cell cultures such as African green monkey kidney cells (Vero), human cervix adenocarsinoma cells (HeLa) and primary fetal bovine kidney cells (FBK), which we cultured and subcultured in our laboratory for Toxoplasma growth rate and yield. Material and Methods: Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites were obtained by washing peritoneal cavities of albino mice which were inoculated intraperitoneally three days prior to cell culture infection. The tachyzoites in the peritoneal exudates were purified, pooled and used to infect three types of cells: Vero, HeLa and primary fetal bovine kidney cells. Tachyzoite multiplication rate and yield of these three cells were evaluated microscopically both in the cell culture flasks and from the harvests. Results: All of the cell types gave reproducible results, with over 1×106 tachyzoites in the harvests, more than 90% of which were viable. Tachyzoite yield from Vero cells was significantly higher than HeLa cells. Vero and FBK cells were infected with tachyzoites faster than HeLa cell culture and the harvest times were more stable. Conclusion: Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite growth was higher in Vero cells than in HeLa cells and it is a continuous cell line, differing from primary FBK cells. Therefore, Vero cell line was preferable among three cell types as a tachyzoite source for consecutive diagnostic and investive use. © 2010 by Tür kiye Klinikleri.