Studies on schistosoma haematobium in the laboratory I. A strain from Durban, Natal, South Africa

Abstract

Some of the characteristics of a strain of Schistosoma haematobium from Natal in experimental infections in hamsters are described. Evidence of the effects of the state of maturity of the intra-molluscan phases of the infection on success of the cercariae is presented. Growth curves for the adult worms from the 90th day of infection to the 170th are given, and the retarded growth of unpaired males in the liver is discussed. The quantitative distribution of parasite eggs in the host tissues is described. An approximate figure for the daily egg output of individual female worms has been calculated. The importance of the influence of individual hosts, both on growth rates and egg production of their parasites, is stressed.