A new continuous perfusion technique for the cultivation of malaria parasites in vitro

A new continuous perfusion system for the cultivation of the intracellular erythrocytic stages of malaria parasites is described. In cultures of P. knowlesi, the species best adapted to the system, development to a second generation of schizonts was obtained when the pH of the medium was kept constant. One of the controlling factors preventing prolonged cultivation of the malaria parasite in vitro may be the loss of viability of the red cell.