Hrádková K., Horák P. (2002): Neurotropic behaviour of Trichobilharzia regenti
in ducks and mice. Journal of Helminthology 76: 137-141.
ISSN: 0022-149X
IF 0.698
GACR 524/00/0622, GAUK 123/2000/B-BIO/PřF, J13/981131-3, J13/981131-4
Abstract:
The bird nasal schistosome Trichobilharzia regenti is a new agent of cercarial
dermatitis. Cercariae are able to penetrate the skin of birds and mammals including
man. The parasite then attacks the central nervous system. The present study has
shown that schistosomula avoid penetration of blood capillaries and enter the
peripheral nerves of the legs of mice and ducks as early as 1 day post-infection
(p.i.) and 1.5 days p.i., respectively. These peripheral nerves are used as a
route to the spinal cord. In the specific host (duck) schistosomula were found
in the spinal cord from 2 days p.i. until 15 days p.i. and in the brain from 12
days p.i. until 18 days p.i. In non-specific hosts (mice; inbred strains BALB/c,
hr/hr, SCID) living schistosomula were found in the spinal cord from 2 days p.i.
until 21 or 24 days p.i. (depending on the mouse strain) and in the brain of two
(BALB/c, SCID) of three inbred strains from 3 days p.i. until 24 days p.i. No
correlation was found between the infection dose and clinical status of the experimental
hosts. A high affinity of schistosomula for the peripheral nerves was also proved
in vitro, suggesting a new type of migratory behaviour in schistosomatids.