Cell Culture of Chigger Mites, Gamasid Mites and Primary Study on their Characteristics

ObjectiveTo establish cell culture method of the gamasid mites in order to study on the gamasid mites and chigger mites as the vectors of HFRS at the cell molecular level.MethodsThe mite cell culture derived from the larva and nymph of the gamasid mites and chigger miteswas established.After sterilization and trypsinization,the treated larva and nymph cells were inoculated into the modified TC199 medium containing 15% FBS.ResultsThe cells grew vigorously and formed a single layer after two weeks cultivation,and were stably passed for four generation.The majority of the cells exhibited a morphology of spindle shape,with chromosome 2n=6 and population doubling time 20.50 h.It was found that TC199 medium was quite suitable for the cell growth.Glutamic acid,tyrosine,ornithine,cystine and arginine were found essential while their needs for amino acids were observed dynamically.ConclusionThe results provided a theoretical foundation for study on the proliferation and location of HFRSV in mites.