[In vitro infestation of human hepatocytes by sporozoites of Plasmodium vivax: schizogony and liberation of merozoites capable of infesting human erythrocytes].

Human hepatocytes obtained by perfusion of a liver biopsy fragment, were infected in vitro with Plasmodium vivax sporozoites raised in Anopheles stephensi. On day 7 of culture, numerous hepatocytic schizonts ranging in size from 5 to 35 micrometers were observed. The schizont maturation was complete and led to the release of invasive merozoites as shown by in vitro infestation of human red cells layered on the hepatocytes cultures.