Scanning electron microscopical observations on the shedding of the tegument of adult Schistosoma mattheei.

In search of indications of membrane turnover the teguments of male Schistosoma mattheei from cattle and laboratory rodents were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy. A number of slightly elevated circular patches of tegument which appeared to peel off on the edges were seen on the outer membrane of a limited number of specimens from both rodents and cattle. It is suggested that this phenomenon may represent limited rapid turnover of the outer layer in response to host immunological action.