The pathogenesis of Schistosoma mattheei in the sheep

Nine Dorper lambs infected with 3000 cercariae of Schistosoma mattheei showed inappetence, reduced growth rate, anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, hyperglobulinaemia and an intermittent eosinophilia. A marked granulomatous reaction in the intestinal mucosa was associated with the deposition and accumulation of eggs. The disease was progressive for the first 25 weeks and three sheep died or were slaughtered in extremis between 12 and 24 weeks after infection. In those animals that survived, the disease became chronic with no evidence of recovery up to 67 weeks after infection. The number of egg-laying females in the sheep and their output of eggs showed no reduction over the period of observation. Daily egg output was estimated at 692 eggs per female per day.