Chemical and Histological Observations on the Influence of Schistosoma mansoni Infection on Australorbis glabratus

Abstract

Very little is known about the influence of parasites on the chemical composition and metabolism of invertebrate hosts. The only thoroughly studied cases concern parasites of decapod crustaceans. These investigations have revealed disturbances in the fat and carbohydrate storage in the body of the host, as well as changes in the ratios between inorganic substances and proteins in the latter's blood (Robson, 1911 ; Smith, 1913; Drilhon, 1936, 1937; Reinhard and von Brand, 1944). It appeared desirable, therefore, to undertake a comparable investigation on snails parasitized by the developmental stages of trematodes since such snails may have changed chemical composition and metabolism and therefore may react differently than non-parasitized specimens to chemical substances used as molluscacides in control measures. In the present paper the question will be examined as to whether the fat and polysaccharide content, and the oxygen consumption, of Australorbis glabratus parasitized by Schistosoma mansoni differ from those of non-parasitized specimens.