Abstract

Exoerythrocytic stage parasites of Plasmodium cynomolgi, P. knowlesi, P. coatneyi, and P. inui were cultured by inoculating primary cultures of hepatocytes from Macaca mulatta with sporozoites. Less than 1% of inoculated sporozoites survived. Morphology and size of the liver stages in all 4 species were similar to in vivo descriptions and the time required for in vitro maturation correlated well with prepatent periods described.