Susceptibility of biomphalaria Alexandria to infection with schistosoma mansoni: Correlation with the activity of certain glycolytic enzymes

ABSTRACT

The importance of the glycolytic flux for the success of Biomphalaria- Schistosome sporocyst interaction was acertained in this study. Hexokinase [HK], pyruvate kinase [PK], glucose phosphate isomerase [GPI] and lactate dehydrogenase [LD], as four important glycolytic enzymes, were markedly stimulated in trematode infected Biomphalaria alexandrina when measured two weeks post exposure to infection with Schistosoma mansoni miracidia. Treatment with this plant resulted in a significant inhibition of these three investigated enzymes. LC10 concentrations of S. nigrum reduced considerably the infection rate of B. Alexandrina with S. mansoni to be 34% compared to an infection rate of 80% in control, non-treated snails. Susceptibility of B. alexandrina to infection with the digenetic trematode S. Mansoni is correlated to the activity levels of the glycolytic enzymes. Moreover, sublethal and less pollutant concentration of S. Nigrum could be recommended to control schistosomiasis by disturbing the intramolluscan environment of the parasite