Schistosoma mansoni polypeptides immunogenic in mice vaccinated with radiation-attenuated cercariae

We compared the humoral immune response of mice protected against Schistosoma mansoni by vaccination with radiation-attenuated cercariae to that of patently infected mice, and we identified antigens that elicit a greater, or unique, immune response in the vaccinated mice. These comparisons were based upon radioimmunoprecipitations and immunodepletion of [35S]methionine-labeled schistosomular and adult worm polypeptides, followed by one- and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel analyses. The humoral responses of patently infected mice and of mice vaccinated once were remarkably similar and were directed against schistosome glycoproteins ranging in molecular size from greater than 300 to less than 10 kDa. Exposing mice to a second vaccination resulted in a marked change in the immune response, to one predominantly directed toward high molecular size glycoproteins. Sequential immunodepletion techniques identified five schistosomular and seven adult worm antigens that showed a greater or unique immunogenicity in vaccinated mice as compared with patently infected mice. These adult worm antigens were purified by preparative sequential immunoaffinity chromatography and used to prepare a polyclonal antiserum, anti-irradiated vaccine. This antiserum bound to the surface of live newly transformed and lung-stage schistosomula, as assessed by immunofluorescence assays, and was reactive with a number of 125I-labeled schistosomular surface polypeptides, including a doublet of 150 kDa that was also recognized by sera of vaccinated mice but not by sera of patently infected mice.     

Schistosoma mansoni: eicosanoid production by cercariae

Cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni are stimulated to penetrate skin by certain free fatty acids. The cercariae have an active arachidonate cascade, presumably using host skin essential fatty acids as cascade precursors. Exposing cercariae to 3.3 mM linoleate for 1, 10, and 60 min resulted in production of a wide variety of eicosanoids. Using high-performance liquid chromatography, eicosanoids coeluting with prostaglandin E2, D2, and A2, leukotriene B4, and 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid standards were identified, as well as unidentified peak positions. Radioimmunoassay confirmed the presence of immunoreactive prostaglandin E1, and E2, and 5- and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids in cercarial extracts. No eicosanoid production occurred when cercariae were exposed to 3.3 mM oleate and 1 or 330 microM linoleate. Both high-performance liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay data indicated that cercariae regulate the production of eicosanoids through time. It is postulated that arachidonate metabolism and subsequent eicosanoid production are required for successful cercarial penetration.     

Schistosoma mansoni: chemical stabilization of cercariae by aldehydes

Chemically stabilized cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni have been developed by inactivating surface glycoproteins which are essential for their survival. The inactivation was achieved by reaction with 0.01-0.1% glutaraldehyde, 0.1-1% formaldehyde, and 0.37-3.7 microliters citraconic anhydride. The cercariae lost their viability but retained the ability to exclude trypan blue for up to 2 years in a manner similar to live cercariae and in contrast to cercariae killed by other means, which took up the dye immediately. The chemically stabilized cercariae reacted with polyclonal and monoclonal antischistosome antibodies in an indirect immunofluorescence assay for up to 2 years, indicating the retention and preservation of surface antigens. Chemically stabilized cercariae revealed the presence of antischistosome antibodies as early as 1 week after infection when used for immunodiagnosis of mouse and rat infections. The presence of Fc receptors for human IgG on the stabilized cercariae interfered in their use as an immunodiagnostic reagent of human schistosomiasis. The stabilized cercariae were also used to screen cultures for monoclonal antischistosome antibodies. Preliminary results indicated that immunization of mice with glutaraldehyde stabilized cercariae imparted protective immunity to mice.     

Intraspecific cross-protection in mice immunized with irradiated Schistosoma mansoni cercariae

Several laboratory-maintained strains of Schistosoma mansoni were tested for their relative immunogenicity or susceptibility to anti-schistosome immunity in irradiated cercaria-immunized mice. A total of 11 strains and substrains were used; 7 were of Puerto Rican origin, 3 from Brazil, and 1 from Egypt. Mice were immunized by percutaneous exposure to 50-krad-irradiated cercariae. Immunity was assessed following challenge with cercariae of the homologous or a heterologous strain. The results showed that the choice of either the challenge or immunizing strains was not critical in the development of significant levels of protection. Extensive degrees of cross-protection developed in all intrastrain combinations tested.     

Schistosoma mansoni: effect of some cations on the proteolytic enzymes of cercariae

The effects of various salts on the proteolytic activity of extracts from Schistosoma mansoni cercariae were tested. Using an Azocoll substrate, stimulation (2 to 2.5-fold) of activity by the monovalent cations Na⁺ and K⁺ was demonstrated, with maximum stimulation at 20–40 mM concentrations. The divalent cations Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ stimulated proteolytic activity at low concentrations (between 0 and 10 mM) but inhibited activity at higher concentrations. The divalent cations Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Co²⁺ were inhibitory even at very low concentrations. The results presented here are discussed in relation to previously described ion effects on cercarial infectivity.     

Pathology associated with vaccination against Schistosoma mansoni in mice using cryopreserved radiation-attenuated schistosomula

Twenty-one mice were injected intramuscularly with 2000 Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula irradiated at 20 krad and cryopreserved; three mice were killed on each of days 0, 2, 5, 9, 19, 28 and 44 days after infection and muscle from the site of injection in the left hind leg, the lungs and livers removed for histological examination. Schistosomula were seen in sections from the leg muscle from days 0 to 19 inclusive, in the lungs from day 2 to day 28 inclusive and in the livers from days 9 to 28 inclusive. Most schistosomula were seen in sections of the leg muscle with considerably fewer parasites occurring in the lungs and especially the livers. Granulomatous reactions comprising eosinophils, polymorphs, plasma cells and macrophages were first seen in the leg muscle on day 2, in the lungs on day 5 and in the liver on day 19. The peak inflammatory reactions appeared to occur between days 5 and 9, 9 and 19 and 28 and 44 respectively in the three tissues. The pathology is discussed in relation to the dose of irradiation required to attenuate the schistosomula for optimal immunogenicity.     

Schistosoma mansoni: a new parenchymal cell in cercariae

A new type of cell has been identified in cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni. The perikarya (cell bodies) of these cells were located in the body (midsegment), in an area oral to the acetabulum (ventral sucker). Cytoplasmic processes extending from the perikarya ramified throughout the parenchyma of the anterior organ (oral sucker), body, and tail segments by following the path of the nerve processes from the neuropile. The perikarya of these cells had heterochromatic nuclei and a predominance of particulate material and granules (240-360 nm) in their cytoplasm. Aggregates of granules (240-360 nm) and associated vesicles (34 nm) were scattered throughout the cytoplasmic processes of the cells and formed distinct varicosed areas. These processes often connected to the tegument in the midsegment (body) of the cercariae. The granules and associated vesicles reacted (became electron dense) with fixatives reported to be detectors of biogenic amines: The glutaraldehyde/osmium tetroxide fixation procedure rendered the granules electron dense while the glutaraldehyde/chromate/osmium tetroxide fixation procedure rendered the granules and the associated vesicles electron dense. The chromate solution of the latter procedure was responsible for the electron density of the associated vesicles. The morphology of these cells (their long ramifying cytoplasmic processes) and their reaction to chromium suggests that they are probably biogenic aminergic sensory cells.     

Ultraviolet disinfection of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae in water

BackgroundSchistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that is transmitted by skin contact with waterborne schistosome cercariae. Mass drug administration with praziquantel is an effective control method, but it cannot prevent reinfection if contact with cercariae infested water continues. Providing safe water for contact activities such as laundry and bathing can help to reduce transmission. In this study we examine the direct effect of UV light on Schistosoma mansoni cercariae using ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV LEDs) and a low-pressure (LP) mercury arc discharge lamp.MethodologyS. mansoni cercariae were exposed to UV light at four peak wavelengths: 255 nm, 265 nm, 285 nm (UV LEDs), and 253.7 nm (LP lamp) using bench scale collimated beam apparatus. The UV fluence ranged from 0–300 mJ/cm² at each wavelength. Cercariae were studied under a stereo-microscope at 0, 60, and 180 minutes post-exposure and the viability of cercariae was determined by assessing their motility and morphology.ConclusionVery high UV fluences were required to kill S. mansoni cercariae, when compared to most other waterborne pathogens. At 265 nm a fluence of 247 mJ/cm² (95% confidence interval (CI): 234–261 mJ/cm²) was required to achieve a 1-log₁₀ reduction at 0 minutes post-exposure. Cercariae were visibly damaged at lower fluences, and the log reduction increased with time post-exposure at all wavelengths. Fluences of 127 mJ/cm² (95% CI: 111–146 mJ/cm²) and 99 mJ/cm² (95% CI: 85–113 mJ/cm²) were required to achieve a 1-log₁₀ reduction at 60 and 180 minutes post-exposure at 265 nm. At 0 minutes post-exposure 285 nm was slightly less effective, but there was no statistical difference between 265 nm and 285 nm after 60 minutes. The least effective wavelengths were 255 nm and 253.7 nm. Due to the high fluences required, UV disinfection is unlikely to be an energy- or cost-efficient water treatment method against schistosome cercariae when compared to other methods such as chlorination, unless it can be demonstrated that UV-damaged cercariae are non-infective using alternative assay methods or there are improvements in UV LED technology.