Tegument changes of Schistosoma japonicum and Schistosoma mansoni in mice treated with artemether.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of artemether (Art) on the tegument of schistosomes.


METHODS
Mice infected with S japonicum cercariae for 7 and 35 d, or with S mansoni cercariae for 49 d were treated intragastrically with Art 200-300 mg.kg-1.d-1 for 2 d. Schistosomes were collected in groups of 2 mice at various intervals after medication for scanning electron microscopic observation.


RESULTS
The tegumental changes induced by Art appeared to be similar in S japonicum and S mansoni: swelling and fusion of tegumental surfaces, vesicle formation and collapse of discoid-like sensory structures. In S japonicum the emergence of tegumental alterations was earlier in 7-d-old schistosomulae than that in 35-d-old adult worms.


CONCLUSIONS
Art injured the teguments of S japonicum and S mansoni.
Xiao
S H
SH
Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, Shanghai.
Shen
B G
BG
Horner
J
J
Catto
B A
BA
D000818:Animals; D000077549:Artemether; D037621:Artemisinins; D002642:Chick Embryo; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012549:Schistosoma japonicum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012556:Schistosomicides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*
D037621:Artemisinins; D012556:Schistosomicides; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D000077549:Artemether