Salmonella typhi infection in Schistosoma mansoni infected mice

Aspects of the biology of Salmonella typhi in concurrent infection with Schistosoma mansoni in mice was studied. 0.2ml of 1 x 10(6) per S. tyhi was inoculated intraperitoneally into mice harbouring different developmental stages of S. mansoni. The rate of bacterial growth, the distribution and duration of the bacterial infection in mice and in Schistosome, as well as the drug (Chloramphenicol) response of the bacteria were studied. S. typhi was cultured more frequently in schistosome-infected mice than in mice that were not infected with schistosme (P < 0.05). The bacterial growth rate was more rapid in mice infected with older schistosomes. Similarly the bacteria persisted much longer in mice infected with adult S. mansoni (8 weeks old) than those infected with younger (2 and 4 weeks old) schistosomes. The results of treatment of S. typhi infected mice previously infected with schistosomes of different ages made us to conclude that adult schistosomes (8 weeks old) are more relevant in the modified response to treatment of patients with S. typhi infection with concurrent Schistosoma mansoni infection.