Comparative study of transcriptome profiles of mechanical- and skin-transformed Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula.

ABSTRACT: Schistosome infection begins with the penetration of cercariae through healthy unbroken host skin. This process leads to the transformation of the free-living larvae into obligate parasites called schistosomula. This irreversible transformation, which occurs in as little as two hours, involves casting the cercaria tail and complete remodelling of the surface membrane. At this stage, parasites are vulnerable to host immune attack and oxidative stress. Consequently, the mechanisms by which the parasite recognises and swiftly adapts to the human host are still the subject of many studies, especially in the context of development of intervention strategies against schistosomiasis infection. Because obtaining enough material from in vivo infections is not always feasible for such studies, the t

SUBMITTER: Protasio AV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3597483 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature