BEHAVIOR OF HEMOLYMPH AMEBOCYTES FROM PLA NORBIDAE IN THE PRESENCE OFSCHISTOSOMA-MANSONI LARVAE PARASITISM, BY INOCULATION OF INDIAN INK OR FRACTURE OF THE SHELL

The behaviour of the hemolymph amebocytes of Biomphalaria glabrata and Biomphalaria tenagophila was studied by means of the infection by the Schistosoma mansoni, using inoculation with Indian ink and fracture o f the shell. A differencial count of the amebocytes in the hemolymph w as made with special attention given to the types of cell found in eac h sample. Histopathological evaluation of the molluscs exposed to the Schistosoma mansoni miracidia and analyses of the amebocytes were made . Correlation between the variance of the number of hemolymph amebocyt es and tissue reaction was also made. The morphologycal study of amebo cytes was carried out with the help of a phase microscope. An increase in granulocytes in Biomphalaria tenagophila occured only when the mol luscs were infected by Schistosoma mansoni, which suggests the specifi city of the reaction to the parasitism. Comparing the results obtained with B. glabrata and B. tenagophila it is concluded that these mollus cs show different amebocitary behavior in the presence of the diverse stimuli used.