Neospora caninum: In vitro culture of tachyzoites in MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells

The development of Neospora caninum tachyzoites, an apicomplexan protozoan parasite, was studied in vitro using the human breast carcinoma cell 7 (MCF-7) as the host cell line. The extracellular NC-1 tachyzoites in MCF-7 cells were observed and counted daily for 6 consecutive days post-infection to establish the growth curve. The intracellular parasites were observed by acridine orange staining using Laser scanning confocal microscope. The results indicated that NC-1 tachyzoites invaded MCF-7 cells and multiplied intracellularly. The number of extracellular NC-1 tachyzoites started to increase rapidly around day 3 and reached the maximum number around day 4. Results from the present study suggested that MCF-7 cells were susceptible to NC-1 tachyzoites and could be used as an alternative cell line for in vitro studies.