Differential Susceptibility of Biomphalaria tenagophila Populations to Infection with a Strain of Schistosoma mansoni

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Abstract
Experiments to determine the susceptibility of B. tenagophila from 20 localities over the species range exposed to a strain of S. mansoni showed widely varying infection rates, from 0-91.5% observed in a sample from an area where the natural infection rate of B. tenagophila was the highest in the country [Brazil]. Comparison with similar studies involving B. glabrata indicates that a process of adaptation between S. mansoni and B. tenagophila is evolving, the 2 organisms reaching a high degree of compatibility in a few areas. The present results point to the possibility of expansion of schistosomiasis to a wide South American area where B. tenagophila occurs.