[The ketone bodies in the hemolymph of Biomphalaria glabrata under starvation and infection with Schistosoma mansoni (author's transl)].

The metabolism of the snail Biomphalaria glabrata stressed by five days' starvation as well as by infection with Schistosoma mansoni was examined with regard to the metabolism of ketone bodies. Previous studies in the metabolism of this host--parasite relationship always resulted in changes in the same direction with starvation as well as with infection. Contrary to that the concentration of acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate measured in the hemolymph decreased significantly with starvation but increased significantly with infection. The following problems concerning the ketone body metabolism are discussed: on the one hand the differences between infected and starved snails, and on the other hand the differences between the snails and the mammals as well as in the invertebrates so far investigated.