The eggs of the parasitic trematode Schistosoma mansoni are powerful inducers of a T helper type 2 (Th2) immune response and immunoglobulin E (IgE) production. S. mansoni egg extract (SmEA) stimulates human basophils to rapidly release large amounts of interleukin (IL)-4, the key promoter of a Th2 response. Here we show purification and sequence of the IL-4-inducing principle of S. mansoni eggs...

Schistosomiasis is one of the most common human parasitic diseases whose socioeconomic impact is only surpassed by malaria. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the only drug commercially available for the treatment of all schistosome species causing disease in humans. However, there has been stronger evidences of PZQ-resistance on Schistosoma mansoni and thus it is very important to study the phenotypic char...

BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis in humans along the lower Mekong River has proven a persistent public health problem in the region. The causative agent is the parasite Schistosoma mekongi (Trematoda: Digenea). A new transmission focus is reported, as well as the first study of genetic variation among S. mekongi populations. The aim is to confirm the identity of the species involved at each known foc...

India is uniquely positioned with regard to schistosomes and schistosomiasis-discovering seven new mammalian species with the existence of three more schistosome species: Orientobilharzia turkestanicum, O. harinasutai, and Schistosoma haematobium(?). An endemic focus of urinary schistosomiasis was reported from Gimvi village of Ratnagiri, Maharashtra with infrequent occurrence of schistosome eg...

Human schistosomiasis is caused by the genus Schistosoma. Its prevalence and morbidity are highest among schoolchildren, adolescents, young adults. It prevalent in poor communities without access to safe drinking water adequate sanitation. The agents of etiology these diseases Schistosoma mansoni, haematobium, guineensis, intercalatum, japonicum, mekongi. Symptoms include anemia, stunting, feve...

BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis is a chronic parasitic disease caused by blood flukes (trematode worms) of the genus Schistosoma. Its transmission has been reported in 78 countries affecting at least 258 million people world-wide. It was documented that S. japonicum species was prevalent in Shan State, Myanmar, but the serological study was not conducted yet. General objective of the present study w...

Over the past decade at PLOS NTD, our thinking about schistosomiasis control has changed dramatically. Before going further in this article, though, it is especially important for me, as an editor, to ask everyone in the NTD world to be much more precise now about their terminology when referring to ‘schistosomiasis control’. One can no longer talk about schistosomiasis and its control in loose...