Correlative and dynamic imaging of the hatching biology of Schistosoma japonicum from eggs prepared by high pressure freezing.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Schistosome eggs must traverse tissues of the intestine or bladder to escape the human host and further the life cycle. Escape from host tissues is facilitated by secretion of immuno-reactive molecules by eggs and the formation of an intense strong granulomatous response by the host which acts to exclude the egg into gut or bladder lumens. Schistosome eggs hatch on contact with freshwater, but the mechanisms of activation and hatching are poorly understood. In view of the lack of knowledge of the behaviour of egg hatching in schistosomes, we undertook a detailed dynamic and correlative study of the hatching biology of Schistosoma japonicum.

Methodology/principal findings

Hatching eggs of S. japonicum were studied using correlative light and electron microscopy (EM

SUBMITTER: Jones MK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2575399 | biostudies-literature | 2008

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature