Article
A contribution to the pathobiology of Biomphalaria glabrata hemocytes
Registration in:
BORGES, C. M. da C.; AZEVEDO, C. M.; ANDRADE, Z. A. A contribution to the pathobiology of Biomphalaria glabrata hemocytes. Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, v. 101, supl. 1, p. 193-198, 2006.
0074-0276
Author
Borges, Claudia Maria da Cunha
Azevedo, Carine Machado
Andrade, Zilton de Araújo
Abstract
This study attempts to investigate the relationship between the hemocytes in the two compartments: circulating
peripheral lymph and the connective tissues. The hemocytes are compared with the vertebrate macrophages and
constitute the principal line of defense against external aggression. The hemocytes were counted in circulating
hemolymph and their phagocytic capability was evaluated in Schistosoma mansoni-infected Biomphalaria glabrata
and the results were compared with those obtained from normal intact control snails. Although the number of
circulating hemocytes revealed a mild increase in snails at the 6th week of infection, the overall findings were
similar and pointed out that the cells in the two compartments are not functionally connected. However, the hemocytes
found within the connective tissues of infected snails showed definite ultrastructural differences in the number and
disposition of cytoplasmic prolongations and organelles in comparison with the hemocytes from non-infected
snails. Histochemically, the staining for acid phosphatase activity served as a marker to hemocytes, sometimes being
found in extracellular material at the foci of parasite-hemocyte interactions.