Effect of aprotinin on schistosoma mansoni miracidial penetration into biomphalaria alexandrina

The effect of aprotinin on Schistosoma mansoni miracidial penetration process, by its direct topical application on Biomphalaria alexandrina snails, was studied. The snails were exposed to S. mansoni miracidial suspension which was mixed with aprotinin at concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 20 Kallikrein inactivator units [KIU]/ml of applied solution. Results showed that aprotinin had marked inhibitory effect on miracidial penetration of the snails. The concentration that resulted in 50% inhibition of the miracidial penetration into B. alexandrina snails [LD50] was 2.4 KIU/ml, while [LD96] was 20 KIU/ml of the applied solution. Thus, aprotinin may be one of the important methods in the control of schistosomiasis