title: Schistosoma mansoni: effect of aestivation on the intra-molluscan stages and the survival rate of infected Biomphalaria pfeifferi.
abstract: Following exposure to the miracidia of Schistosoma mansoni, Biomphalaria pfeifferi were induced to aestivate immediately ('0 h') or on days 7, 14 or 21 post-infection and then re-activated at various times. The proportions of snails found to be alive at weekly intervals after re-activation were found to be related to the length of time the snails had spent between infection and aestivation (I-A), varying from 100% (0 h) to 5% (21 days). The mean numbers of cercariae produced by the snails after re-activation also varied with I-A, being highest in those that aestivated immediately post-infection, and cercarial development was delayed by prolonged desiccation of the infected snails, the intra-molluscan development of S. mansoni is affected by the aestivation of the snail host.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: L I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Badger
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Oyerinde
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001700:Biomphalaria / Q000469:parasitology*; D004956:Estivation; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000254:growth & development*