摘要 |
<p>The present invention provides a homogenous population of parasite cells, wherein the cells are not mosquito cells, capable of prolonged culture in vitro. Fractions from the cells, both cellular and non-cellular are also provided. Further provided is a method of treating or preventing parasite involvement with an animal comprising administering immunogenic amounts of the parasite cells of the invention or fractions derived from the cells to the animal, thereby treating or preventing the parasite involvement with the animal. Further provided is a method of detecting the presence of a parasite in an animal, comprising contacting either the parasite cells or cell fractions of the invention or antibodies of the invention with either an antibody containing sample or an antigen containing sample from the animal and detecting the presence of binding of either the antibodies in the sample with the cells or fractions of the invention or the binding of the antigens in the sample with the antibodies of the invention, the presence of binding indicating the presence of a parasite in the animal. In addition, the invention provides a method of culturing parasite cell populations in vitro comprising culturing a parasite in parasite culture medium under conditions which allow for decomposition and/or degradation of the cuticle layer of the parasite such that cellular buds are produced; disrupting the culture to cause the cellular buds to shear from the cuticle layer; and culturing the parasite cellular buds in cell culture medium. Finally provided is a population of differentiated nematode cells capable of prolonged culture in vitro.</p> |