In vitro cultivation of third stage larvae of Wuchereria bancrofti to the fourth stage.

Third stage larvae of Wuchereria bancrofti obtained from laboratory-infected mosquitoes grew and molted to the fourth stage in vitro. The culture medium which supported the best growth and development consisted of a 1:1 mixture (v/v) of two commercially available cell culture media, NCTC 135 and Iscove's modified Dulbecco's medium supplemented with 10% human serum or plasma and an antibacterial/antimycotic mixture. Cultures were incubated at 37 degrees C in an atmosphere of either 5% or 8% CO2 in air. After 35 days of culture, 65% to 100% of the larvae were fourth stage. They were motile and in excellent morphological condition with development of the reproductive system in males and females. This culture system will provide an important tool for biochemical and immunological studies.