Histopathological study on susceptible and resistant Bulinus truncatus snails to infection with Schistosoma haematobium

Abstract

In this study, the distribution pattern of Schistosoma haematobium miracidia level to host susceptibility/resistance and the basic cellular responses during the parasite development was investigated. Several snail stocks showed a wide spectrum of host reaction to the parasite. A vigorous "resistant-type" cellular response to invading miracidia was seen in the histological sections of non-susceptible snails. In this respect, they were classified as "resistant snails". Bulinus truncatus infected with S. haematobium exhibited a wide range of histopathological change, suggesting the presence of endogenous factors preventing the immune system of susceptible snails from destroying the developed parasite larvae. Therefore, the mechanism underlying the susceptibility of the snails should be investigated by studying the host-parasite interactions by light and electron microscopy.