Isolation Culture and Cryopreservation of Sarcocystis species

摘要

More than 200 valid Sarcocystis species have been described in the parasitological literature. The developmental life cycle in the intermediate host and definitive host has only been described for a few species. The majority of species have been identified based solely on the presence of the sarcocyst stage in the muscles of the intermediate host. Information on the immune response to infection is limited due to difficulties growing and conducting experimental infections in laboratory animals. One genome has been assembled and only recently have molecular methods been used to examine phylogenetic relationships within, and between, different Sarcocystis species. Sarcocystis parasites are common pathogens infecting a wide range of animals, including humans, and this unit reviews the methods used for isolating infective stages of the parasite from both definitive and intermediate host(s), as well as methods used to initiate cultures from sporocysts and merozoites, and cryopreservation of various Sarcocystis spp. These methods are based on published reports and our experience with Sarcocystis species in cell culture over many years. The information presented is suitable for the efficient culture of many Sarcocystis species, however, some minor modifications may be needed based on the unique developmental patterns of some species.