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Development and evaluation of a prototype non-woven fabric filter for purification of malaria-infected blood
Zhi-Yong Tao1, Hui Xia, Jun Cao
1Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Meiyuan Yangxiang 117, Wuxi 214064, People's Republic of China.
Background:
Many malaria-related studies depend on infected red blood cells (iRBCs) as fundamental material; however, infected blood samples from human or animal models include leukocytes (white blood cells or WBCs), especially difficult to separate from iRBCs in cases involving Plasmodium vivax. These host WBCs are a source of contamination in biology, immunology and molecular biology studies, requiring their removal. Non-woven fabric (NWF) has the ability to adsorb leukocytes and is already used as filtration material to deplete WBCs for blood transfusion and surgery. The present study describes the development and evaluation of a prototype NWF filter designed for purifying iRBCs from malaria-infected blood.
Methods:
Blood samples of P. vivax patients were processed separately by NWF filter and CF11 column methods. WBCs and RBCs were counted, parasite density, morphology and developing stage was checked by microscopy, and compared before and after treatment. The viability of filtrated P. vivax parasites was examined by in vitro short-term cultivation.
Results:
A total of 15 P. vivax-infected blood samples were treated by both NWF filter and CF11 methods. The WBC removal rate of the NWF filter method was 99.03%, significantly higher than the CF11 methods (98.41%, P < 0.01). The RBC recovery rate of the NWF filter method was 95.48%, also significantly higher than the CF11 method (87.05%, P < 0.01). Fourteen in vitro short-term culture results showed that after filter treatment, P. vivax parasite could develop as normal as CF11 method, and no obvious density, developing stage difference were fund between two methods.
Conclusions:
NWF filter filtration removed most leukocytes from malaria-infected blood, and the recovery rate of RBCs was higher than with CF11 column method. Filtrated P. vivax parasites were morphologically normal, viable, and suitable for short-term in vitro culture. NWF filter filtration is simple, fast and robust, and is ideal for purification of malaria-infected blood.
Insights
This study introduces a novel non-woven fabric (NWF) filter for purifying malaria-infected red blood cells (iRBCs). The NWF filter effectively removes leukocytes (WBCs) while preserving iRBC viability, offering a superior alternative for malaria research.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Hematology
Background:
- Malaria research relies on infected red blood cells (iRBCs), but contamination by leukocytes (WBCs) hinders studies, especially with Plasmodium vivax.
- WBCs require removal for accurate biological, immunological, and molecular analyses.
- Non-woven fabric (NWF) is explored for its leukocyte-adsorbing properties, similar to its use in blood filtration for transfusions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a prototype NWF filter for purifying iRBCs from malaria-infected blood.
- To assess the efficacy of NWF filtration in removing WBCs and preserving RBCs and parasite viability.
Main Methods:
- Processing of Plasmodium vivax patient blood samples using NWF filters and CF11 columns.
- Microscopic comparison of WBC and RBC counts, parasite density, morphology, and developmental stages before and after treatment.
- In vitro short-term cultivation to assess the viability of filtered P. vivax parasites.
Main Results:
- NWF filter achieved a 99.03% WBC removal rate, significantly higher than the CF11 method (98.41%).
- NWF filter demonstrated a 95.48% RBC recovery rate, significantly higher than the CF11 method (87.05%).
- Filtered P. vivax parasites remained viable and morphologically normal, supporting normal development in short-term in vitro cultures.
Conclusions:
- NWF filter filtration effectively removes leukocytes from malaria-infected blood with a high RBC recovery rate, outperforming the CF11 column method.
- The NWF filter preserves the viability and morphology of P. vivax parasites, making them suitable for in vitro studies.
- NWF filter filtration is a simple, rapid, and robust method ideal for purifying malaria-infected blood for research.
