Research Articles

Evaluation of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) as a topical agent for preventing skin penetration by cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni

The effect of skin application of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) on the penetration and migration behavior of cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni was evaluated in vitro and in vivo in a mouse model. These studies showed that DEET at concentrations of 7.5% or higher was 100% effective in immobilizing and killing cercariae of S. mansoni in vitro. Ultrastructural studies on such DEET-exposed cercariae showed transformative and degenerative changes involving both tegument and deeper parenchymal structures. Fatal tissue lesions were evident as early as 5 min postexposure to DEET, and became more extensive with increasing exposure time. Cutaneous application of DEET (as a pure chemical in isopropanol or as a commercial insect repellent preparation) was more than 99% effective in preventing entry of S. mansoni cercariae into the mouse tail skin. Radiolabeling and tracer studies confirmed that 7.5% DEET applied to the skin prior to infection was highly effective in preventing schistosomular migration to the lungs.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. Fei and J. H. Xin N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide-Containing Microcapsules for Bio-Cloth Finishing Am J Trop Med Hyg, July 1, 2007; 77(1): 52 - 57. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. M. NAPLES, C. SHIFF, and R. U. HALDEN REDUCTION OF INFECTIVITY OF SCHISTOSOME CERCARIAE BY APPLICATION OF CERCARICIDAL OIL TO WATER Am J Trop Med Hyg, November 1, 2005; 73(5): 956 - 961. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]