Attempts to Cultivate the Mosquito Phase of Plasmodium Relictum

Abstract

Summary In an endeavor to bring about the development of the sporogonic cycle of Plasmodium in vitro, attempts have been made to culture the oocysts of P. relictum, strain 1P1-1, on the stomachs of Cules tarsalis. A number of media, including completely synthetic ones were tested. Various mixtures of gases were introduced into the flasks, in some cases continuous aeration was employed, in others a modified rocker type culture was used. Mosquito tissue remained alive with hind-gut contraction for at least seven days; oocysts of P. relictum persisted apparently unaltered for six days, but no development of the oocysts could be demonstrated.