Preparation of primary cultures of tick cells.

Primary cell cultures were prepared from preimaginal bodies from the nymphal ticks, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Dermacentor andersoni, and Amblyomma maculatum, and from the hemocytes of late-stage nymphal and adult ticks, Ornithodoros coriaceus. The dissection methods for obtaining preimaginal bodies and hemocytes for culture are described. A culture mediu, designated RML 375, was used for both culture methods. Primary cultures were established with minimal contamination. Preimaginal body cultures may be maintained for 2 to 8 months or longer and hemocyte cultures for 1 to 9 months. Cultured cells form incomplete monolayers and tend to grow in clusters. Subculturing these cells is difficult, although A maculatum have been sucessfully subcultured several times. A brief review of arthropod tissue culturing is presented and potential applications of the method are discussed.