LB Broth-lyophilized Rabbit Anti-sheep Cell Haemolysin as a Simple Culture Medium for Cultivation of Leishmania Major Promastigotes

Background and Aims: The protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania are the causative agents of various clinical diseases. Different methods of cultivation of Leishmania parasites are available. In the present study, the efficacy of the LB broth with rabbit lyophilized anti-sheep red blood cell haemolysin was evaluated in the cultivation of promastigotes of Leishmania major. Materials and Methods: Conventional LB broth medium was prepared and autoclaved for 15 min at 121°C and then lyophilized rabbit anti-sheep cell haemolysin was added at 1-10% final concentrations. The efficacy of the medium was evaluated by assessing the growth ability and replication patterns of the promastigotes of Leishmania major. Results: Medium with 1-10% lyophilized rabbit haemolysin supported the growth of the parasites and can be used for cultivation of Leishmania parasites with acceptable In vivo infectivity for research purpose. Conclusions: The ability of the parasites to survive and proliferate in the presence of lyophilized rabbit haemolysin indicates that this material is a good nutritional source. This study opens a new way to make low-cost medium that can be used in cultivation of Leishmania parasites.