Establishment of two lines of Ethiopian isolates of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro

Abstract

Abstract:

An attempt was made to establish Ethiopian isolates of Plasmodium falciparum in tissue culture flasks. Two lines, FCA-1 and FCA-2, were derived from two patients infected with falciparum malaria in North and South Shewa, Ethiopia, respectively. Parasites were initiated into culture in tissue culture flasks. Both lines grew very slowly for the first four weeks but increased their multiplication rates and became established between the 5th and 7th weeks in culture. Both lines produced gametocytes. Infected red blood cells cryopreserved after five weeks were easily recovered. Sufficient parasite materials have been preserved in liquid nitrogen for later use and/or for supply to researchers in other laboratories. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1997;11(3):235-239]