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https://www.arca.fiocruz.br/handle/icict/2753
CHANGES INDUCED IN BIOMPHALARIA GLABRATA (SAY, 1818) FOLLOWING TRIALS FOR ARTIFICIAL STIMULATION OF ITS INTERNAL DEFENSE SYSTEM
Affilliation
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Patologia Experimental. Salvador, BA, Brasil
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Patologia Experimental. Salvador, BA, Brasil
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Patologia Experimental. Salvador, BA, Brasil
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Patologia Experimental. Salvador, BA, Brasil
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Patologia Experimental. Salvador, BA, Brasil
Abstract
Biomphalaria glabrata can react through different pathways to Schistosoma mansoni miracidium penetration,
according to the degree of resistance/susceptibility presented by different snail strains, which is a genetically
determined character, resistance being the dominant feature. However, it has been observed that previous susceptible
snail strain may change its reactive behavior along the course of infection, exhibiting later a pattern of
cercarial shedding and histopatopathological picture compatible with high resistance. Such observation suggests
the possibility of B. glabrata to develop a sort of adaptative immunity face a schistosome infection. To explore on this
aspect, the present investigation looked for the behavior of S. mansoni infection in B. glabrata previously subjected
to different means of artificial stimulation of its internal defense system. Snails previously inoculated with irradiated
miracídia (Group I); treated with S. mansoni antigens (Group II) or with a non-related parasite antigen (Group III)
were challenged with 20 viable S. mansoni miracidia, and later looked for cercarial shedding and histopathologic
changes at different times from exposition. Nodules of hemocyte accumulations were found at the site of antigen
injection. These nodules resembled solid granulomas, and were larger and more frequent in snails injected with S.
mansoni products as compared to those injected with Capillaria hepatica. However, the presence of such granulomas
did not avoid the S. mansoni challenge infection from developing in a similar way as that seen in controls. The data
are indicative that hemocytes are able to proliferate locally when stimulated, such capacity also remaining localized,
not being shared by the population of hemocytes located elsewhere within the snail body.
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