Low temperature preservation ofPlasmodiumspp

Abstract

Interest in the long-term low temperature preservation of malaria parasites was initiated by Coggeshall's (1939) demonstration that the intra-erythrocytic stages could survive storage at −76°C for 70 days. Numerous studies have subsequently been published in which a variety of techniques have been used. In addition, several reviews have included sections on the cryopreservation of malaria, the most recent being by James (1980), Leef, Hollingdale, & Beaudoin (1981), Nguyen-Dinh, Chemangey-Masaba, Spencer, Campbell, Chin & Collins (1981) and a WHO memorandum (1981). Most of these reports and reviews have dealt with the problems of cryopreserving malaria parasites from a parasitological viewpoint. In an attempt to provide a cryobiologically orientated review of value both to cryobiologists and practicing parasitologists the published technical reports have been summarized in chronological order in Tables 1 and 2, and the important cryobiological parameters are discussed.