In vitro cultivation of the vascular phase of Sarcocystis hirsuta (Apicomplexa)

Abstract

Sporozoites of Sarcocystis hirsuta (Apicomplexa), although they also penetrated into bovine monocytes, developed to the schizogonous phase only in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells. Schizonts were evident beginning 14 days after sporozoite inoculation (DAI) and persisted to 62 DAI, when experiments were terminated. Merozoites and schizonts were most numerous 35–53 DAI. The number of schizogonous generations was not determined. In vitro cultivation of schizonts of S. hirsuta will facilitate comparisons with development of S. cruzi, and this will aid elucidation of mechanisms of pathogenesis and immunologic responses caused by these two important cattle parasites.