Parasitological characteristics of Schistosoma mansoni infection in swiss mice with underlying malnutrition

Abstract

The effects of a protein-restricted diet (8% protein, 81% carbohydrate and 11% lipids)

The outcome of acute schistosomiasis infection in adult mice with postnatal exposure to maternal malnutrition

“…This result confirms studies with undernourished mice, which showed a pre-patent period of 43 days (Simões et al 2002). At 55 days post-infection with S. mansoni, PR offspring had a higher number of eggs in their faeces.…”

“…Thus, schistosome maturation (Kanuft & Warren 1969), worm burden and oviposition reduction (Akpom 1982, Rocha 1982, Magalhães et al 1986, Neves et al 2001, as well as the production of altered eggs, have been observed in nutritionally restricted mice (Akpom & Warren 1975). Our previous report showed that the pre-patent period and the kinetics of egg excretion were similar to well-fed controls (Simões et al 2002).…”

Morphometric study of Schistosoma mansoni adult worms recovered from undernourished infected mice

“…The blockade of parasites growth leading to dwarf male and female worms in IL-7 deficient mice showed that these worms are able to mate and lay eggs (Wolowczuk et al 1999). Interestingly, experimental malnutrition induced for a long-term (since lactation to adulthood) in mice has no detrimental effect on the infection (Simões et al 2002). Finally, it can be speculated that both host and schistosomes develop a certain degree of physiological adaptation to survive in a protein-deficient environment (Ing et al 2000).…”

The impact of host starvation on parasite development and population dynamics in an intestinal trypanosome parasite of bumble bees

“…From the parasite perspective, host nutritional status may determine growth, of both individuals and populations, within the host, with obvious implications for transmission and parasite fitness (e.g. Keymer, Crompton & Walters, 1983 ;Shi et al 1995 ;Sudati, Rivas & Fried, 1997 ;Petkevicius et al 2001 ;Neves et al 2001 ;Oliveira et al 2003 ;Ezenwa, 2004 ; but see Simoes et al 2002). In the natural world, hosts frequently undergo nutritional stress due to a lack of, or competition for resources.…”