• 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 38  (3) , 241-249
Abstract
The development of D. viteae 3rd stage larvae was attempted in vitro. A monophasic culture system consisting of BHK-21 [baby hamster kidney] medium supplemented with 10% tryptose-phosphate broth and 15% fresh jird serum allowed the growth of previously in vivo triggered larvae, but not of those isolated from ticks. The larvae could complete the 3rd moult and grew on as 4th stage larvae up to 5 mm. Development was comparable to that observed in vivo. The presence of an irradiated hamster kidney cell feeder layer could replace an in vivo trigger. The development of the infective larvae took place up to the 3rd moult. Some larvae completed the moult to the 4th stage and reached a maximum length of 3 mm after 14 days. These culture systems offer the possibility to study in vitro the complete development of the infective larvae to 4th stage larvae.