In vitro cultivation of Angiostrongylus costaricensis eggs to first stage larvae in chemically defined medium.

Angiostrongylus costaricensis eggs were successfully cultured to first stage larvae in a chemically defined medium. The most suitable medium for development was Ham's F-12 among 7 chemically defined media and 10 serum supplemented media examined. The addition of serum to Ham's F-12 did not provide any further benefits for egg development. When the eggs were cultured in this medium under 8% CO2 in air, they developed and formed larvae inside the eggs 5 days later. Thereafter, the eggs began to hatch to first stage larvae. Ten days after cultivation, 34% of the eggs had developed to first stage larvae. When these first stage larvae were infected to the snail intermediate host, Biomphalaria glabrata, they developed to third stage larvae.