Sequential histological changes in Biomphalaria glabrata during the course of Schistosoma mansoni infection

• Main Authors: Queli Teixeira Lemos, Zilton A Andrade
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde 2001-07-01
• Series: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz.
• Subjects: Biomphalaria glabrata; Schistosoma mansoni; histopathology
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0074-02762001000500025

Biomphalaria glabrata, highly susceptible to Schistosoma mansoni, were seen to shed less and less cercariae along the time of infection. Histological examination kept a close correlation with this changing pattern of cercarial shedding, turning an initial picture of no-reaction (tolerance) gradually into one of hemocyte proliferation with formation of focal encapsulating lesions around disintegrating sporocysts and cercariae, a change that became disseminated toward the 142nd day post miracidial exposure. Findings were suggestive of a gradual installation of acquired immunity in snails infected with S. mansoni.