Host cell specificity and schizogony of Plasmodium berghei under different in vitro conditions

Invasion and intra-erythrocytic growth of two strains of Plasmodium berghei (ANKA and K173) were studied under different in vitro conditions. Some important limiting factors for the mass cultivation of this rodent malaria parasite were reconsidered. Parasites of both strains developed normally from ringforms into mature schizonts in RPMI1640 supplemented with Fetal Calf Serum (FCS). At a temperature of 37 degrees C the duration of the schizogonic cycle was comparable to that of the same parasites developing under in vivo conditions. At 27 degrees C, however, the asexual cycle took 60-72 h. In medium supplemented with mouse serum instead of FCS the growth of the parasites was severely inhibited. Parasites of both strains showed a strict preference for reticulocytes. Red blood cells from rats, mice and hamsters were readily invaded by merozoites from both strains. Erythrocytes from rabbits and guinea pigs were resistant to invasion by P. berghei. It is concluded that host cell specificity technically limits the possibilities for mass cultivation of P. berghei. The validity of recent publications, describing alternative culture systems for this rodent parasite, is discussed.