Cell-culture system for continuous production of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites

The aim of this study was to identify a sustainable cell line and culture method that could continuously provide a sufficient quantity of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites to serve the needs of a general hospital laboratory. Three continuous cell lines (HeLa, LLC and Vero) and three cell-culture methods (culture in conventional flasks, culture in membrane-based flasks and an automated culture system) were investigated. In multiplicity of-infection and time-course experiments, HeLa was the cell line of choice. Harvests from HeLa cells had significantly higher tachyzoite yields than those from LLC cells (P < 0.00005) or Vero cells (P < 0.05). Membrane-based flasks gave higher yields (6.15 x 10(6) tachyzoites/ml) than conventional flasks (1-2 x 10(6) tachyzoites/ml) initially, but these were not sustained. The automated cell-culture system was unsuitable for parasite culture. Continuous passage in 25 cm(2) flasks was successful, yielding 1 x 10(6) tachyzoites/ml; viability exceeded 90% after 96-120 h of infection throughout 38 passes, during which time the viability improved and the time to harvest became more consistent. Toxoplasma gondii grown in continuous culture in HeLa cells can provide a regular supply of viable tachyzoites. Demonstration that HeLa-derived tachyzoites could be used for the dye test confirms the potential of this in vitro system for use in general hospital laboratories.