Schistosoma mansoni: cellular reactions to challenge infections in the cheek pouch skin of chronically infected Chinese hamsters.

The cellular reactions to the migration of challenge schistosomula of Schistosoma mansoni through the cheek pouch skin in Chinese hamsters immunized 20 weeks previously via the abdomen has been investigated at the ultrastructural level. The composition of the leucocytic infiltrate into the dermis and epidermis changed with time after infection. At 24 and 48 h the infiltrate was composed mainly of neutrophils and mononuclear cells. At 72 h fewer neutrophils but more eosinophils were present. The interaction of the leucocytes with the challenge schistosomula is described. Degranulation of eosinophils at the cell-parasite interface has been observed. Despite the fact that approximately 30% of 48 h schistosomula and 50% of 72 h schistosomula examined had adherent leucocytes only a few of the parasites exhibited signs of damage, consisting of tegumental vacuolation and changes in the electron opacity of the tegumental cytoplasm. There was no strong evidence of increased attrition of challenge schistosomula in the cheek pouch skin relative to the primary infection, although some dead challenge parasites were observed. It is concluded that a substantial proportion of the attrition of challenge infections in the Chinese hamster occurs at a post-dermal location.