In vitro culture systems for the study of apicomplexan parasites in farm animals

► Proliferative stages of apicomplexan parasites relevant for farm animals can be cultured in vitro. ► A large variety of cell culture and explant approaches have allowed to investigate their basic biology. ► In vitro cultures have a major impact on the development of tools for diagnostic purposes and for drug screening. ► Transgenic parasites facilitate high-throughput screening of anti-microbial compounds active against proliferative stages. ► For some apicomplexans, the sexual development can also be reproduced in cell cultures.