Response to the amoebocyte-producing organ of sensitized Biomphalaria glabrata after exposure to Echinostoma caproni miracidia

The enigma of the haemogram “left-shift” in periwinkles infected with trematodes

“…Importantly, infected snails in some cases had more immature haemocytes (socalled ''round'' cells) than did controls [11]. Infection of B. glabrata with another echinostome species E. caproni triggered an elevated haemopoiesis [19]. A similar haemotogenic reaction was found in L. truncatula infected with Fasciola hepatica [20].…”

The influence of hydrocortisone on cellular defence mechanisms of Biomphalaria glabrata

“…Granulocytes were the most affected by hydrocortisone and were fewer in treated mollusks (Figs 1, 2). Joky et al (1985) and Seta et al (1996) observed an increase in the number of hemocytes in the first 72 h after infection with S. mansoni. Since in our study hydrocortisone affected the number of hemocytes, it is probable that the steroid may act on the APO (amebocyte-producing organ) of the mollusks (Jeong et al 1983) to reduce the number of defense cells produced and/or retard their maturation.…”

Stress and immune responses in abalone: Limitations in current knowledge and investigative methods based on other models

“…Shield's abstract [57] reported increased numbers of "stem cells" in those animals afflicted with 'withering syndrome', but these were identified on morphology alone (personal communication) and may not be precursors of fully differentiated haemocytes. An amoebocyte producing organ (APO) has been identified in the pulmonate gastropod Biomphalaria glabrata, located between the pericardium and the posterior epithelium of the mantle cavity and in the blood sinuses of the ventricle [55,[58][59][60]. In L. truncatula and L. stagnalis, haemocytes divide in the haemolymph, in connective tissue and at the site of wound repair, with no well-defined amoebocyte…”