Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Mass Isolation and In Vitro Cultivation of Intramolluscan Stages of the Human Blood Fluke Schistosoma Mansoni
Published on: January 14, 2018
Do trematode parasites disrupt defence-cell signalling in their snail hosts?
1School of Life Sciences, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, UK, KT1 2EE. t.walker@kingston.ac.uk
Abstract:
More than a decade ago, it was postulated that components derived from trematode parasites block receptors on the defence cells of their snail intermediate hosts, thus preventing host-cell activation and parasite elimination. This phenomenon has still not been investigated extensively. However, recent work concerning the molecular regulation of the molluscan defence response provides a new framework for studies that focus on an extension of this original concept - subversion of host cell signalling by trematode parasites. The hypothesis is that, to facilitate survival and replication in their intermediate hosts, trematode parasites down regulate host defence responses by interfering with key signal-transduction pathways in snail defence cells.
Related Concept Videos
Anthelminthic Agents
Amebiasis
Diversity of Protists II
Toxoplasmosis
Microbial Interactions: Parasitism
American Trypanosomiasis

