The immunoreactivity of seven peptides synthesized from Schistosoma mansoni proteins, was evaluated by dot-blot and ELISA assays using two different sensitization methodologies. The best results were obtained on wells of the Costar 3590 microplates coated with peptides P1, P2, P3, P6, and P7 using conventional methodology. The signals increased considerably (p < 0.0003) on wells sensitized with...

Objective The influence of age and the presence of secondary sporocysts in the miraxonal attraction exercised by Biomphalaria glabrata on miracidia of Schistosoma mansoni of the BH strain were studied. Material and Method A glass apparatus containing two compartments joined by a tube and previously tested in other experiments, was used. Specimens of B. glabrata or its snail conditioned water (S...

15 Gregory, T.R. (2003) Genome size estimates for two important freshwater molluscs, the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and the schistosomiasis vector snail (Biomphalaria glabrata).Genome46, 841–844 16 Goldman, M.A. et al. (1984) Chromosomal evolution in planorbid snails of the genera Bulinus and Biomphalaria. Malacologia 25, 427–446 17 Knight, M. et al. (1998) Expressed sequence tags (EST...

In China alone, an estimated 30 million people are at risk of schistosomiasis, caused by the Schistosoma japonicum parasite. Disease has re-emerged in several regions that had previously attained transmission control, reinforcing the need for active surveillance. The environmental stage of the parasite is known to exhibit high spatial and temporal variability, and current detection techniques r...

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...

The ability of the cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni to penetrate the tails of mice was shown to remain constant throughout their lives. However, their capacity to establish themselves and then reach maturity decreased as they aged. The abdominal route of penetration produced consistently higher maturation rates than the tail route. Significantly different maturation rates were obtained by modif...

Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Faculdade de Farmácia e Bioquímica, UFJF, Campus Universitário, 36036-330 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil *Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, UFMG, Av. Antônio Carlos 6.627, 31270-091 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil and Santa Casa de Misericórdia, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil **Departamento de Alimentos, Faculdade de Farmácia, UFMG, Belo Hozizo...