Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
3-D Imaging and Analysis of Neurons Infected In Vivo with Toxoplasma gondii
Published on: December 9, 2014
Isolation of viable Toxoplasma gondii cysts from brain samples for oral infection
V R Puvanesuaran1, N Ibrahim, R Noordin
1Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
Aim:
A method was developed to separate contaminant-free viable Toxoplasma gondii cysts from brain samples of infected mice for molecular biology studies and reinfection.
Materials And Methods:
The mice brains were homogenized and washed with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) Tween 80 prior to fractionation using 19-22% dextran solution. Finally, the supernatant was purified by two-step membrane filtration (100-160 microm and < 10 microm) to obtain pure T. gondii cyst. The isolates were analyzed through microscopic observation, qPCR and by reinfection of new batch of mice.
Results:
T. gondii cysts were best isolated with 21% dextran solution and two step filtration.
Conclusions:
The method was observed not to disrupt the integrity of the cysts containing bradyzoites. In addition, the isolated cysts in the filtrate were found to be contaminant-free, viable and able to infect healthy mice when introduced orally; which, mimics the natural infectivity pathway.
More Related Videos
11:21Forward Genetics Screens Using Macrophages to Identify Toxoplasma gondii Genes Important for Resistance to IFN-γ-Dependent Cell Autonomous Immunity
Published on: March 12, 2015
09:56Toxoplasma gondii Cyst Wall Formation in Activated Bone Marrow-derived Macrophages and Bradyzoite Conditions
Published on: August 12, 2010