Susceptibility of Snail Vectors to Geographic Strains of Schistosoma japonicum

Abstract

Laboratory-reared Oncomelania hupensis originating from Shanghai, China; O. nosophora from Kofu, Japan; O. formosana from Chang Hua, Formosa; O. quadrasi from Leyte and Mindanao, P. I.; and Pomatiopsis lapidaria from the Potomac River near Washington, D. C. were exposed to strains of Schistosoma japonicum from Shanghai, China; Kofu, Japan; and Chang Hua, Formosa. O. hupensis was readily infected with the Chinese and Japanese strains but in these tests could not be infected with the Formosan strain. ,O. nosophora was susceptible to both the Japanese and Formosan strains but was refractory to the Chinese strain. O. formosana became infected with the Formosan strain but could not be infected with the Chinese and Japanese strains. O. quadrasi was susceptible only to the Formosan strain while P. lapidaria was infected with the Chinese and Formosan strains but not the Japanese strain.