Related Experiment Videos
Cultivation of Pneumocystis carinii with WI-38 cells
Abstract:
Pneumocystis carinii has been successfully cultured with WI-38 human embryonic lung fibroblasts. Inoculum was obtained from infected lungs of cortisone-treated Sprague-Dawley rats. Trophozoites reached peak numbers between days 4 and 8 and grew in two subcultures, but then proliferation ceased. If primary cultures were harvested and new medium were added, a second and sometimes a third harvest could be obtained. Cell monolayers were not destroyed. After growth of the initial inoculum had ceased, monolayers supported growth of a new inoculum. Harvested organisms had few contaminating tissue culture cells. Additional studies of growth requirements are needed. Although cultures cannot be used to diagnose P. carinii infection, cultured organisms should be useful for studies of biology and pathogenesis and for the development of immunodiagnostic techniques.
Insights
Researchers successfully cultured Pneumocystis carinii using human lung fibroblasts. This breakthrough enables further study into the organism
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Pneumocystis carinii is an opportunistic pathogen.
- Culturing P. carinii is essential for biological and diagnostic research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a reliable method for culturing Pneumocystis carinii.
- To investigate the growth characteristics of P. carinii in vitro.
Main Methods:
- Inoculum of P. carinii was obtained from infected rat lungs.
- WI-38 human embryonic lung fibroblasts were used as host cells.
- Organisms were cultured and monitored for proliferation and viability.
Main Results:
- Successful culture of P. carinii was achieved.
- Trophozoites peaked in number between days 4 and 8.
- Multiple harvests were possible, and cell monolayers remained intact.
Conclusions:
- In vitro culture of P. carinii is feasible.
- Cultured organisms are valuable for studying P. carinii biology and pathogenesis.
- Further research into growth requirements is necessary.