Changes in the enteric vasculature of mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni

Mesenteric and intestinal vasculature of mice infected with S. mansoni was injected transaortically with a silicone elastomer. The mesenteries and intestines were then cleared and examined with a stereomicroscope. Marked tortuosity and dilatation of mesenteric and intestinal veins and arteries were found to be confined to areas of oviposition and were associated with small arteriovenous shunts which were not present in control animals or areas of intestine devoid of eggs. These findings suggest that splanchnic arterial-portal venous shunts add a hyperkinetic component to intrahepatic portal venous obstruction and synergistically result in portal hypertension.