The use of schistosoma mansoni-hamster system as an experimental model to study the acquired resistance against Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is one of the major health problems in the different parts of the world. Understanding the mechanisms of protective immunity and the antigens against which protective responses are directed may play an important role in combating this disease. The present work aimed to exploit the hamster as an experimental model to study the acquired resistance against schistosomiasis mansoni and to speculate as for as possible the mechanisms operating. 277 hamsters with mean age (4-5) weeks were divided into two main groups: The first were hamsters with two exposures to cercariae, they were called the experimental group. These were divided as follows: Hamsters exposed primarily to 100 normal cercariae of schistosoma mansoni obtained from laboratory bred and infected snails, Biomphalaria Alexandrina. They were challenged after three weeks with 150 normal cercariae (challenged ”3 weeks” post-infected).