The Cultivation of One Generation of Malarial Parasites (<i>Plasmodium Falciparum</i>) in Vitro, by Bass's Method

Abstract

From I88o, when Laveran discovered the malarial parasites, numerous workers have attempted their cultivation in vitro.It was not, however, until I9I I that Bass was able to state that he had succeeded in cultivating Plasmodium vivaz, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium falciparum.In this preliminary paper the technique was not given in any detail, though certain factors were noted, such as incubation temperature of 40° C. or higher, strict anaerobic conditions and culture media of defibrinated or citrated human blood.Working on these lines, J. A. Sinton (I9I2), of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, carried out a series of experiments, but in no instance was he successful in obtaining any development of the parasite, and it was only in October, I9I 2, that Bass's full technique became available.After studying this paper, which appeared in the American Journal of Experimental Medicine for October, I 9 I 2, and after the examination of a series of eight slides kindly sent to the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine by Dr. Bass, the results appeared so noteworthy that on the suggestion of Sir Ronald Ross we decided to make an immediate attempt to prove or disprove