In vitro cultivation of infective larvae of Dirofilaria immitis

Infective larvae (L3) of Dirofilaria immitis were cultivated in various synthetic media. L3 obtained from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes by mass dissection were inoculated into the media, viz: RPMI 1640 medium with 10 per cent human AB serum (medium-A); Tc-199 medium with organic acids, sugars of Grace's insect medium and 10 per cent foetal calf serum (FCS) (medium-B); and Grace's insect medium with 10 per cent FCS (medium-C). Maximum survival of 26 days was found in medium 'A'. Approximately 80 per cent healthy larvae moulted after 72 hours. They increased in size from an initial average length of 1050 microns and 25 microns width to an average 1600 microns length and 35 microns width. Blunting and rounding of anterior ends were conspicuous.