Separation of <i>Isospora (Toxoplasma) gondii</i> cysts and cystozoites from mouse brain tissue by continuous density - gradient centrifugation

Abstract

A simple, quick and reproducible method consisting of density-gradient centrifugation of homogenized infected mouse brain tissue on Percoll is described for the isolation and purification of cysts of Isospora (Toxoplasma) gondii. A 100% recovery of cysts, with 74.2% in a single fraction with a specific gravity of 1.056, was obtained by overlaying homogenates of infected mouse brains on a pre-formed Percoll gradient and centrifugation at low g forces. With this procedure recovery was independent of the age of the cysts. Titration of purified cystozoites showed there to be no loss of infectivity.