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

Abstract

Chemical analysis showed that there was no significant difference in fat content between infected and non-infected snails, while the former regularly stored less polysaccharide. Histological examination showed the polysaccharide depletion to be due to a diminution of glycogen both in parasitized and non-parasitized organs, while the galactogen content of the albumin gland did not show a significant change. The oxygen consumption of infected snails was approx. the same as that of uninfected ones. The following mechanisms are discussed to explain the polysaccharide loss: Withdrawal of food by the parasites, impaired digestion or resorption, and toxic influences. A definite decision in favor of one of them could not be reached.