The effect of ultra-violet radiation on cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium

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Abstract
It was shown that ultra-violet radiation has a damaging effect on cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium which are similarly influenced. Radiation of cercariae for intervals as short as 5–20 seconds markedly increased their mortality during penetration of host skin and inhibited migration of schistosomula in the lungs beyond days 3–4 post-infection. No mature adult worms were recovered from the liver and mesenteric veins of animals infected with irradiated cercariae. The practical significance of the cercaricidal property of ultra-violet radiation is discussed.