A novel cell-free method to culture Schistosoma mansoni from cercariae to juvenile worm stages for in vitro drug testing.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The arsenal in anthelminthic treatment against schistosomiasis is limited and relies almost exclusively on a single drug, praziquantel (PZQ). Thus, resistance to PZQ could constitute a major threat. Even though PZQ is potent in killing adult worms, its activity against earlier stages is limited. Current in vitro drug screening strategies depend on newly transformed schistosomula (NTS) for initial hit identification, thereby limiting sensitivity to new compounds predominantly active in later developmental stages. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish a highly standardized, straightforward and reliable culture method to generate and maintain advanced larval stages in vitro. We present here how this method can be a valuable tool to test drug efficacy at each int

SUBMITTER: Frahm S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6375649 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature