Histological and histochemical studies on the digestive gland of Bulinus truncatus infected with Schistosoma haematobium.

The structure of the uninfected and infected digestive gland of the fresh-water snail, Bulinus truncatus, was studied histologically and histochemically. The digestive gland consists of two types of cells: digestive and secretory cells clearly differentiated from each other. The pathological effects of infection of the snail with cercariae of Schistosoma haematobium have resulted in considerable structural and histochemical alterations in the digestive gland. Generally, the main effects were reflected by increased cellular vacuolation and marked diminution of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids of the gland cells.