HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Erickson, D. G. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Erickson, D. G.

The Fate of Gamma-Irradiated Schistosoma Mansoni Cercariae in Mice^*

Duane G. Erickson

Schistosomes irradiated with 8000 r from Co-60 penetrated into mice and migrated to the lungs at about the same rate as normal ones, but in somewhat fewer numbers. The maximum number of irradiated schistosomes was recovered by perfusion at 14 days after penetration, but their numbers rapidly declined thereafter. The first histological evidence of the death of these worms was found in the liver at 22 days after exposure. Only a few of the irradiated schistosomes could be recovered from mice by perfusion after 35 and 42 days, and these worms were very stunted and appeared to be moribund. The site of death of worms irradiated with 8000 r was primarily in the liver, but some worms were unable to migrate from the lungs and succumbed there. Mice were able to tolerate infections with irradiated schistosomes, and their tissues were restored to an apparently normal condition within a few weeks after the worms had perished from the effects of radiation and the host response.

^* A portion of a thesis prepared under the direction of Prof. F. G. Wallace and submitted to the faculty of the University of Minnesota in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Present address: Dept. of Medical Zoology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D. C.