Definition and collection in quantity of schistosomules of Schistosoma mansoni

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Abstract
On the basis of comparison of the characteristics of cercariae with schistosome larvae recovered from naturally-pentrated host skin in situ and cultured in vitro in Rose chambers with dialysis membranes, schistosomules are defined as saline- and serum-adapted, water-intolerant larvae developed from cercariae by casting of tails, depletion of pre- and post-acetabular glands, and changing of surface resulting in loss of precise cercarial shape and the capacity to form pericercaial sero -envelopes. The development of equipment and procedures is described for harvesting 15,000 or more schistosomules per collecting vessel, after they have penetrated dried, scraped, plucked rat abdominal skin.