In vitro development of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae

Early cercarial embryos of Schistosoma mansoni developed to swimming cercariae within seven days in vitro, via the same sequence of stages as reported in vivo. The presence of living Biomphalaria glabrata cells (Bge line) was indispensable for proper development. Cultured cercariae were water-sensitive, gave no cercarienhüllen reaction, and appeared to lack the surface glycocalyx. Further development was not detected in mice or hamsters.