Pulmonary schistosomiasis. Identification and determination of elastase in platelets and its role in the development of Schistosoma mansoni granuloma
Behmer, O.A.
Revista do Hospital das Clinicas 28(4): 212-221
1973
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-8781 PMID: 4737145 Document Number: 63963
Study of material from 20 autopsies of people with pulmonary schistosomiasis and of the haematology of experimentally infected dogs, showed that the initial immunopathological response of the host was related to the amount of platelets and leucocytes that aggregated around the schistosome egg. Elastase in platelets and leucocytes, which was found to be pH dependent, degraded the pulmonary vasculature enabling ova to pass through into the alveoli, where delayed hypersensitivity reactions may proceed. Development of the cellular response is classified according to whether or not the egg remains within the vasculature and if it does whether or not it causes occlusion. Formation of granulomata may occur intra- or extravascularly.