Recent advances in malaria parasite cultivation and their application to studies on host-parasite relationships: a review

The continuous cultivation of the erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum was achieved in 1976 and techniques have now also been developed for continuous cultivation of these stages from P. knowlesi, P. fragile, P. inui, P. cynomolgi and P. berghei. The requisite conditions for successful cultivation are described. Gametes of certain isolates of P. falciparum can also now be produced in vitro and these are infective to mosquitos, leading to normal development of the parasite.The successful cultivation in vitro of the exoerythrocytic stages of P. berghei and P. vivax was achieved in 1981 and 1983, respectively. These cultures give rise to infective merozoites.There have been no significant advances in the in vitro cultivation of the sporogonic stages of malaria parasites for the last 15 years, although studies indicate that the in vitro cultivation of these stages from gamete to sporozoite stage is theoretically possible.The application of cultivation techniques to the study of parasite epidemiology is discussed. To date the major epidemiological impact has related to their use for measuring the incidence and spread of drug resistance. Applications to the study of the genetics of drug resistance, antigen production, development of tests for protective immunity, and drug development and screening are reviewed.