IMMUNOLOGICAL AND PARASITOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF BIOMPHALARIA-TENAGOPHILAINFECTED BY SCHISTOSOMA-MANSONI AND OTHER DIGENEA

The behavior of Biomphalaria tenagophila amoebocytes was studied in in fections produced by Schistosoma mansoni and other Digenea. The resist ance to superinfection was also verified in mixed infections. Data on amoebocyte phagocytic activity, on the number of amoebocytes in hemoly mph, and on amoebocyte tissue ractions were obtained and eletrophoreti c and imunodiffusion examinations of the hemolymph were carried out. I t was concluded that the snails infected with Digenea show resistance to superinfection with S. mansoni. Apparently sporocysts are not destr oyed by the action of amoebocytes. An increase in amoebocyte phagocyti c activity was discovered in infected snails. Immunoeletrophoresis sho ws quantitative and qualitative differences in the hemolymph of the in fected snails.