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Cercarial Transformation and in vitro Cultivation of Schistosoma mansoni Schistosomules
Published on: August 16, 2011
Mating interactions between Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni
B L Webster1, V R Southgate, L A Tchuem Tchuenté
1Department of Zoology, Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London, UK.
Journal of Helminthology
|February 2, 2000
Summary
Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni readily form pairs in mixed infections. Schistosoma haematobium exhibits greater dominance and competitiveness in mating interactions, impacting disease spread.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
- Behavioral Ecology
Background:
- Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni are medically significant parasites.
- These schistosomes often coexist in the same geographic areas and can infect the same human hosts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mating behavior of Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni in mixed infections.
- To determine interspecific and intraspecific mating preferences and competition dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Experimental infections were established using both schistosome species in a hamster model.
- Mating pair formation (heterospecific and homospecific) was analyzed.
- Statistical analysis, including the Mantel-Haenszel test, was employed to assess mating competition.
Main Results:
- Both Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni readily formed homospecific and heterospecific pairs.
- Schistosoma mansoni displayed a stronger preference for homospecific mating.
- Evidence suggests mating competition occurs, with Schistosoma haematobium being the dominant species.
- Schistosoma haematobium demonstrated a greater ability to displace Schistosoma mansoni females from established male pairs.
Conclusions:
- Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni engage in mating competition within a single host.
- Schistosoma haematobium exhibits superior competitiveness, potentially influencing infection dynamics.
- These findings have implications for understanding the epidemiology of schistosomiasis in regions where both species are sympatric.
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