In vitro culture of rediae of Echinostoma caproni

Rediae of Echinostoma caproni (Egyptian strain) were dissected from Biompha laria glabrata snails at intervals from 13-34 days post-exposure and co-cul tured for up to 51 days with cells of the B. glabrata embryonic (Bge) cell line. Rediae readily ingested Bge cells and survived longer when cc-culture d with cells than in cell-free cultures. Rediae released mostly motile cerc ariae throughout the observation period when in Bge medium and cells. Redia e cultured in 199 medium with Bge cells also produced progeny throughout mo st of the observation period. In the latter medium, progeny were much more likely to include rediae as well as cercariae. Some cercariae produced in v itro encysted as metacercariae. Rediae consumed cercariae released into cul ture but were not observed to attack one another or rediae of a different e chinostome species.