Glucose uptake rates by Schistosoma mansoni, S. haematobium, and S. bovis adults using a flow in vitro culture system.

A simple flow culture apparatus was designed for the short-term in vitro culture of adult schistosomes. The use of this system allowed sensitive estimation of relative rates of glucose uptake by different species of schistosome. These data suggest that in parasites maintained carefully in conditions within the physiological range of glucose concentration, uptake of glucose is entirely carrier mediated. The rates of glucose uptake by Schistosoma haematobium and its close relative Schistosoma bovis were more than twice that recorded for Schistosoma mansoni. The relationship between reproductive output, glucose requirements, and susceptibility to immune attrition as adults is considered.