In vitro development of third- and fourth-stage larvae of Dirofilaria immitis: comparison of basal culture media, serum levels and possible serum substitutes

• Published in: Acta tropica Vol. 41; no. 2; p. 145
• Main Authors: Lok, J B, Mika-Grieve, M, Grieve, R B, Chin, T K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 01-06-1984
• Subjects: Animals; Blood; Culture Media; Dirofilaria - growth & development; Female; Filarioidea - growth & development; Gentamicins - pharmacology; Larva - growth & development; Movement; Oligopeptides - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0001-706X
• DOI: 10.5169/seals-313289

In vitro development and survival of third-stage larvae of Dirofilaria immitis were compared in four different culture media and in the presence of varying concentrations of four different medium supplements. Motility and the incidence of third- to fourth-stage molting were used as criteria for evaluating different culture conditions. No significant differences in either motility or molting response were detected between larvae cultured in NCTC-135, F12(K), CMRL 1066 or Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium. Fetal calf serum enhanced development and survival of the cultured larvae in dose-dependent fashion. Its effects were maximal at a concentration of 20 percent of the total medium volume. Addition of a commercial medium supplement, NuSerum, also gave a dose-related increase in larval development and viability. The activity of NuSerum in this respect was comparable to that of fetal calf serum. The tripeptide glycylhistidyllysine and bovine serum albumin, fraction V both failed to stimulate development of third-stage D. immitis larvae in vitro.