An improved technique for the in vitro culture of taeniid larvae

Abstract

Improvements made to the technique for in vitro culture of taeniid larvae, described by Heath & Smyth (1970), are presented. The major advance was elimination of specific host sera. The medium consisted of NCTC 135 with the dextrose level raised to 4 g/1. Foetal calf serum was added at 50 per cent concentration for the first week, 20 per cent for the next 2 weeks, and 10 per cent thereafter. Included in the medium were 1 per cent of packed rabbit blood cells. Cultures were maintained stationary in disposable plastic flasks at 39°C with a gas phase of air. Five species of taeniid larvae, which are normally host specific for one of three intermediate hosts—rat, rabbit or sheep—were all cultured successfully in the medium, and comparisons between early larval development in vitro are outlined.