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Title: IN VITRO CULTIVATION OF SCHIZONTS SARCOCYSTIS SPEERI DUBEY AND LINDSAY, 1999

Author
item Dubey, Jitender
item SPEER, C - MONTANA STATE U, BOZEMAN
item LINDSAY, D - VIRGINIA TECH, BLACKSBURG

Submitted to: Journal of Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/6/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Sarcocystis speeri is a newly discovered single-celled parasite. It was first isolated from the intestine of opossums. Before 1999, it was confused with Sarcocystis neurona, also present in opossum feces. Scientists at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, and the Montana State University have cultured S. speeri for the first time in cell culture. In vitro grown parasites will be used to develop diagnostic test for S. speeri. These results will be of interest to biologists, pathologists and parasitologists.

Technical Abstract: Schizonts of Sarcocystis speeri Dubey and Lindsay, 1999 were cultured in vitro in bovine monocyte and equine kidney cell cultures inoculated with infected tissues of gamma interferon knockout (KO) mice fed sporocysts from opossums. At least 1 asexual cycle was completed in 3 days. In vitro grown merozoites were structurally and antigenically distinct from those of fS. neurona and S. falcatula. Culture-derived merozoites of S. speeri were not infective to budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus).