Quantitative aspects of the migration and evolutive asynchronism of Schistosoma mansoni in mice
Barbosa, M.A.; Pellegrino, J.; Coelho, P.M.; Sampaio, I.B.
Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo 20(3): 121-132
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-4665 PMID: 684324 Document Number: 128516
Mice weighing 20 g were exposed abdominally to 65 or 440 cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni and they were killed at various intervals to determine the number of the different stages of worm which had developed in different organs. In the skin, 64 and 59% of the cercariae, respectively, were recovered after 0.5 hour, 45 and 42% after 2 hours and 26 and 25% after 24 hours. With 65 cercariae the peak percentage of worms in the lungs occurred on day 7, and with 440 cercariae on day 5. Mature worms were found in the portal system in maximum numbers on day 51 (65 cercariae) and day 42 (with 440 cercariae). Mathematical equations are given to show the times of the development of the schistosomes through 6 stages. Considerable asynchronism occurs.