The Host Antigen Phenomenon in Experimental Murine Schistosomiasis

Abstract

The surgical transfer of 23- to 28-day-old Schistosoma mansoni from donor mice to the mesenteric vessels of outbred hamsters is followed by recovery of 70% of the transferred trematodes 30 days later. Prior immunization of hamsters with mouse erythrocytes results in anti-mouse erythrocyte antibody titers of greater than 1:4,096 and death of 98% of the parasites. Destruction is correlated with evidence of the presence of mouse antigenic determinants on the surfaces of schistosomes from donor mice.