Concentration and purification by magnetic separation of the erythrocytic stages of all human Plasmodium species

• Published in: Malaria Journal
• Main Authors: Benoit-Vical Françoise, Nepveu Françoise, Parzy Daniel, Morlais Isabelle, Reybier Karine, Chevalley Séverine, Berry Antoine, Ribaut Clotilde, Valentin Alexis
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2008
• Subjects: Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-7-45; https://doaj.org/article/83089795869d469884bc2ee977381d4f

Abstract Background Parasite concentration methods facilitate molecular, biochemical and immunological research on the erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium . In this paper, an adaptation of magnetic MACS ® columns for the purification of human Plasmodium species is presented. This method was useful for the concentration/purification of either schizonts or gametocytes. Results and conclusions The magnetic removal of non-parasitized red blood cells (in vivo and in vitro) using magnetic columns (MACS) was evaluated. This easy-to-use technique enriched schizonts and gametocytes from Plasmodium falciparum in vitro cultures with a very high degree of purity. In addition, all haemozoin-containing stages (schizonts and/or gametocytes) from the peripheral blood of infected patients could be concentrated using this method. This method is particularly useful for the concentration of non-falciparum species, which do not grow in culture and are otherwise difficult to obtain in large amounts.