[Immune phenomena during experimental schistosomiasis in the rat: role of specific and non specific factors]

Partial immunity to Schistosoma mansoni in the rat can be obtained by injection of a bilharzian antigen together with Freund's complete adjuvant. The results are the same no matter what form of the parasite is used (infecting cercariae or adult). This immunity is the result of both specific and non-specific mechanisms, as is proved by the fact that a lesser but still quite clear degree of resistance to infestation can be obtained by injection of Freund's adjuvant alone.