[Effects of non-specific immunopotentiators on experimental Schistosoma mansoni infection. I. Levamisole]

The effects of levamisole on the histopathological changes, host's resistance and "in vivo" chemotaxis in Schistosoma mansoni experimental infection of C57Bl/10 inbred mice were studied. Prophylactic treatment resulted in an increase in the number of adult worms obtained by perfusion and also increased the mortality rate (p < 0.05). The histopathological changes (liver and intestines) were similar in all the groups. A significant reduction of "in vivo" chemotaxis occurred in infected control mice as well as in those submitted to prophylactic treatment with levamisole. Chemotactic activity reached the same levels of normal control mice (non-infected and non-treated with levamisole), when the curative scheme was used. Levamisole seems to increase the susceptibility of inbred C57Bl/10 mice to the infection with S. mansoni when administered prior to the infection and increase the chemotactic activity to normal levels when given after infection.