In vitro cultivation of the human microsporidium Vittaforma corneae: development and effect of albendazole
Silveira, H.; Canning, E.U.
Folia Parasitologica 42(4): 241-250
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0015-5683 PMID: 8774778 Document Number: 440816
When in vitro growth of Vittaforma corneae was tested using MDCK, MRC-5, XEN, L-929 and FHM cell lines processed as monolayers attached to coverslips, propagation occurred only in MDCK, MRC-5 and XEN cells. Meronts, sporoblasts and spores were observed in all 3 cell lines. The intervals required for the various stages of the life cycle to develop were the same in each cell line. The MDCK cell line was selected to support the in vitro growth of V. corneae and to provide a system for the in vitro testing of drugs. The weekly output of V. corneae spores from the MDCK cell monolayer was monitored over a 63-week period, during which there were fluctuations (range 1.1 x 105 to 9.7 x 105 spores/flask/week in 24 cmsuperscript 2 base culture flasks) but no definite increase or decrease in output. Albendazole at 2.1 or 4.2 micro g/ml in MEM was tested against V. corneae in MDCK cell monolayers and showed antiprotozoal activity. The percentage of infected cells was reduced in the presence of the drug (from 22.6% to 15.9 and 16.1% for the 2.1 and 4.2 micro g/ml doses respectively) and ultrastructural abnormalities were observed at all stages of the life cycle. The drug prevented parasite division.