Susceptibility of snail vectors to Oriental anthropophilic Schistosoma.

Laboratory experiments were carried out to study the susceptibility of snail vectors to Oriental anthropophilic Schistosoma. Oncomelania hupensis hupensis was readily infected with the local strain of Schistosoma japonicum (Chinese strain), and also infected with S. japonicum (Philippines strain). O.h. quadrasi was only susceptible to its S. japonicum (Philippines strain). The Oncomelania races were refractory to S. mekongi, S. japonicum-like species (Malaysian strain). Tricula aperta (beta race) was readily infected with S. mekongi, S. sinensium and S. japonicum-like species from Malaysia, but not S. japonicum. T. bollingi was susceptible to S. sinensium and S. mekongi. Robertsiella kaporensis was only susceptible to the local strain, S. japonicum-like species from Malaysia. Geographical isolation may be the cause of these differences in compatibility between the snail vectors and the schistosome parasites.

Microtopography of the surface of adult Schistosoma japonicum-like (Malaysian) as observed by scanning electron microscopy.

The surface of adult Schistosoma japonicum-like (Malaysian) was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The basic pattern of surface microtopography is similar to other strains of S. japonicum as previously reported. However, among male member there are some unique differences in the types, number and distribution of surface papillae and morphology of ridges. Three kinds of papillae were observed: (1) the large fungiform papillae (3.5-4 micron in diameter, most without cilia) are more numerous than in other strains of S. japonicum, they concentrate on the lateral aspect of the anterior and middle parts close to the edge of the gynecophoral canal, and on the dorso-lateral aspect of the posterior part towards the tail tip; (2) the small hemispherical papillae (1.5-2 micron in diameter, all bearing cilia) are especially numerous in the suckers, the gynecophoral canal and parts of the tegument around the suckers and close to the tail tip; on the rest of the surface they are evenly distributed; (3) the cratered papillae (3-4 micron in diameter, about half having cilia) are more numerous than on other strains, they concentrate on the lateral aspect of the middle part and on the edges of the gynecophoral canal. The surface ridges (about 0.2-0.3 micron in width) are tall, highly branching and perforated; they are most developed in the middle part. Spines were observed only in the suckers and the gynecophoral canals. In contrast to the male, the female has numerous spines on all parts of the surface except the most anterior, where a large number of long cilia were observed. All three kinds of papillae were present; fungiform papillae are more numerous than in females of other strains; they concentrate on the latero-dorsal aspect of middle and posterior parts, and around the excretory pore. Ridges are much less developed than in the male and are prominent only in the middle part.