In vitro interactions between the defense systems of resistant and susceptible Biomphalaria alexandrina and sporocysts of Schistosoma mansoni.

ABSTRACT

Biomphalaria species that act as an intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni have different degrees of susceptibility and different internal defense system responses against parasites. Of these species, Biomphalaria alexandrina represents the only intermediate host in Egypt. Given the limited data on the efficacy of the B. alexandrina internal defense system in comparison to that of other species, we sought to better understand its defense against S. mansoni. We performed in vitro hemocyte adherence assay using whole hemolymph and in vitro reaction using the hemocyte-free hemolymph of susceptible and resistant snails against transformed mother sporocysts. The results demonstrated that the interacting factors between the parasite and the hemolymph of the resistant and susceptible snails do not act in a similar manner. Destruction of the parasite was a restricted function of the hemocytes among resistant snails only. This study demonstrates the key role played by snail hemocytes as a first line of defense against the parasite. The incubation of the hemocyte-free hemolymph of both susceptible and resistant snails with the sporocysts did not lead to any changes in the sporocysts shape or integrity. This immunological variance demonstrated between susceptible and resistant snails could be useful to differentiate between susceptible and resistant snails in future field studies. In addition, the results may help further studies to explain the process of attraction, encapsulation and subsequent killing of S. mansoni in its intermediate host.