A simple method for separation of uninfected erythrocytes from those infected withPlasmodium berghei and for isolation of artificially released parasites

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Rat erythrocytes infected withPlasmodium berghei were disrupted by gentle passage of Coneanavalin A (ConA) agglutinated cells through a 100 mesh stainless steel grid. The free parasites were separated from cell debris, unbroken infected cells, and from uninfected rat erythrocytes on a Percoll gradient. The free parasites remained morphologically intact, metabolically active, and infective to mice. The parasites were observed by light and electron microscopy. The incorporation of3H-isoleucine and3H-hypoxanthine was compared in intact and infected cells, and the infectivity was measured by the injection of parasites into susceptible mice. It seems that the combination of the two techniques used, produces a high yield of intact free parasites suitable for physiological or immunological studies.