Abstract
BackgroundParasite concentration methods facilitate molecular, biochemical and immunological research on the erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium. In this paper, an adaptation of magnetic MACS® columns for the purification of human Plasmodium species is presented. This method was useful for the concentration/purification of either schizonts or gametocytes.Results and conclusionsThe magnetic removal of non-parasitized red blood cells (in vivo and in vitro) using magnetic columns (MACS) was evaluated. This easy-to-use technique enriched schizonts and gametocytes from Plasmodium falciparum in vitro cultures with a very high degree of purity. In addition, all haemozoin-containing stages (schizonts and/or gametocytes) from the peripheral blood of infected patients could be concentrated using this method. This method is particularly useful for the concentration of non-falciparum species, which do not grow in culture and are otherwise difficult to obtain in large amounts.
Highlights
Parasite concentration methods facilitate molecular, biochemical and immunological research on the erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium
The present study demonstrates the high degree of purity that can be obtained for the synchronization of in vitro cultures of Plasmodium falciparum, either on asexual or sexual erythrocytic stages, and the usefulness of magnetic separation for the enrichment and purification of Plasmodium parasitized red blood cells from infected malaria patients
When a non-falciparum malaria was diagnosed or when gametocytes were found, the remaining blood was used for the concentration of the parasites with magnetic columns
Summary
Jean Poulhes – TSA 50032, 31059 Toulouse cedex 9, France, 3Laboratoire d'entomologie médicale, OCEAC-IRD, BP288, Yaoundé, Cameroon, 4Unité de Parasitologie, IMTSSA, 13998 Marseille Armées, France and 5Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination du CNRS, UPR8241, 31077 Toulouse 4, France
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