Infection of Australorbis glabratus with Schistosoma mansoni under Bacteriologically Sterile Conditions. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Australorbis glabratus, reared axenically to 2-7 mm before exposure, were found to be highly susceptible to infection with Schistosoma mansoni in the absence of demonstrable bacteriological contamination. Larval development was normal in all observable respects, and cercariae infectious for mice were produced after normal periods of incubation. Maintenance of these snails in the dark for extended periods did not inhibit larval development. Mortality was very low among schistosome-infected snails maintained in the sterile state. Infected snails tended to grow more rapidly than uninfected snails when both were fed identical rations under controlled, bacteriologically sterile conditions.

I am indebted to Dr. C. Pan for preparation and interpretation of tissue sections, to Dr. E. H. Michelson for securing some of the strains of snails, and to Ann R. Schork and Caryl A. Dunavan for technical assistance.