Schistosoma mansoni: Effect of Miracidial Dosage and Aestivation on Cercarial Production and Survival Rate of Biomphalaria Pfeifferi

Abstract

The effect of miracidial dosage and aestivation on cercarial production of Schistosoma mansoni and on the survival rate of Biomphalaria pfeifferi was studied. B. pfeifferi measuring between 7 and 8mm in diameter were grouped into four batches based on the number of miracidia they had been infected with. A number of freshly infected snails were aestivated with one , two, four and six miracidia. Results obtained showed that survival rate of B. pfeifferi aestivated with different miracidial dosage, differed significantly based on the number of miracidial dose. Cercariae produced post- aestivation did not increase as the number of infecting miracidia increased. Snails aestivated with one miracidium produced more cercariae than those aestivated with six miracidia post aestivation, while those aestivated with two and four miracidia emitted the most number of cercariae.


[Nig. Jnl Health & Biomedical Sciences Vol.1(2) 2002: 86-90]