Uptake of macromolecules by cercariae during skin penetration and transformation to schistosomula ( Schistosoma mansoni  )

Here, we observed the uptake of membrane-impermeant molecules by cercariae as they penetrate the skin and are transformed into schistosomula. We propose that membrane-impermeant molecules, Lucifer yellow, Propidium iodide and Hoechst 33258 enter the parasite through both thenephridiopore and the surface membrane and then diffuse throughout the body of the parasite. We present a hypothesis that the internal cells of the body of the schistosomulum represent a new host-parasite interface, at which skin-derived growth factors may stimulate receptors on internal membranes during transformation of the cercariae into the schistosomulum.

Keywords
Schistosoma mansoni - membrane impermeant Lucifer Yellow - nephridiopore - host/parasite interface - linoleic acid