Compatibility of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails to Infection with Schistosoma mansoni after exposure to sublethal concentations of Myrrh

ABSTRACT

The effect of exposing B. alexandrina to the sublethal dose [LC10 and LC20] of myrrh, on its susceptibility to infection with S. mansoni miracidia were determined. At three weeks post miracidial exposure, cercarial shedding was monitored. No shedding of cercariae was observed from snails treated with LC20. In snails treated with LC10, longer prepatent cercarial and shorter cercarial production periods than those of the control group were recorded. The number of infected snails and shedding cercariae was decreased. The study revealed that the sublethal values of myrrh decreased the compatibility of B. Alexandrina to S. mansoni infection, thus proved to have an important role in the control of schistosomiasis