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Observations on adult Onchocerca volvulus maintained in vitro
Summary
Adult Onchocerca volvulus worms survived in lab cultures for weeks, with females releasing thousands of microfilariae daily. However, in vitro conditions did not support new egg production or embryo development for this parasitic worm.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
- Tropical Medicine
Background:
- Onchocerca volvulus is the causative agent of onchocerciasis, a debilitating neglected tropical disease.
- Understanding the in vitro survival and reproductive capacity of adult worms is crucial for developing new treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the survival rates and microfilariae production of adult Onchocerca volvulus in an in vitro culture system.
- To investigate the potential for oocyte production and embryonic development in cultured worms.
Main Methods:
- Adult Onchocerca volvulus worms were enzymatically isolated from excised nodules using collagenase.
- Worms were cultured in TC medium 199 with Hank's salts and supplemented with various sera, including 10% human serum.
- Survival duration and microfilariae release were monitored over time.
Main Results:
- Male worms survived an average of 11 days (max 28 days), and female worms survived an average of 14.5 days (max 42 days) in culture.
- Female worms expelled up to 4,000 microfilariae per day.
- No new oocyte production or embryonic development was observed in vitro.
Conclusions:
- Adult Onchocerca volvulus can survive for extended periods in vitro, maintaining microfilariae release.
- Current in vitro culture conditions do not support the complete reproductive cycle of Onchocerca volvulus, highlighting challenges for drug efficacy testing.