Relocation of Schistosoma mansoni in the lungs and resistance to reinfection in Rattus rattus

• Published in: Parasitology
• Main Authors: Imbert-Establet, D., Combes, C.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1992
• Subjects: Infectious Diseases; Animal Science and Zoology; Parasitology; Rattus rattus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0031182000060790; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0031182000060790

SUMMARY The localization of adult Schistosoma mansoni originating from Guadeloupe (West Indies) was analysed in the natural host Rattus rattus in experimental and natural infections. A transfer of schistosomes from the porto-mesenteric system to the lungs occurs between the 4th and the 20th weeks post-infection, with a peak between 4 and 8 weeks; it should be noted that the worms start laying eggs at 4 weeks post-infection. In both experimentally and naturally infected R. rattus the relocation of schistosomes in the lungs is correlated with the total worm burden. Between 6 and 12 weeks post-infection some adult worms and numerous eggs are trapped in the liver. A high mortality in the worm population coincides with the migration of the parasites from the porto-mesenteric veins to the lungs. In re-infected R. rattus a relationship appears between the presence of schistosomes in the lungs and resistance to reinfection. It is concluded that, as already postulated previously in mice, resistance to re-infection in the natural host R. rattus is at least partly correlated with the hepatic pathology caused by the schistosomes of the primary infection.