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Updated: Mar 9, 2026
12:05
Mass Isolation and In Vitro Cultivation of Intramolluscan Stages of the Human Blood Fluke Schistosoma Mansoni
Published on: January 14, 2018
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Schistosoma hemozoin and its possible roles
1National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, MOH, WHO Collaborating Centre for Malaria, Schistosomiasis, and Filariasis, Shanghai 200025, China.
International Journal for Parasitology
|December 26, 2016
Summary
Schistosomes degrade hemoglobin into hemozoin for detoxification and other functions. This review explores schistosome hemozoin
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Schistosome pigment, identified as hemozoin, was historically viewed as a hemoglobin degradation product for waste disposal.
- Research since the 1950s has focused on the hematophagous feeding of schistosomes and their hemoglobin metabolism.
- The chemical identity of schistosome hemozoin with malarial hemozoin and beta-hematin was confirmed in the early 2000s.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the hematophagous feeding habits of schistosomes.
- To discuss hemoglobin degradation and hemozoin formation within the schistosome gut.
- To explore the potential roles of schistosome hemozoin in parasite biology and disease.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on schistosome hemoglobin metabolism.
- Analysis of research on hemozoin formation and its chemical properties.
- Synthesis of findings regarding the functions of schistosome hemozoin.
Main Results:
- Schistosomes exhibit hematophagous feeding, degrading ingested hemoglobin.
- Hemozoin formation in schistosomes is a primary mechanism for heme detoxification.
- Schistosome hemozoin is implicated in pathogenicity, immune modulation, iron supply for egg production, and drug interactions.
Conclusions:
- Schistosome hemozoin is structurally identical to malarial hemozoin.
- Beyond detoxification, schistosome hemozoin plays multifaceted roles in parasite survival and pathogenesis.
- Further research into schistosome hemozoin is crucial for understanding disease mechanisms and developing therapeutic strategies.
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