Modulation of the activity of the internal defence system of the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis by the avian schistosome Trichobilharzia ocellata

Abstract

Effects of infection with the avian schistosome Trichobilharzia ocellata on the activity of the internal defence system of the intermediate snail host Lymnaea stagnalis were studied, utilizing an in vitro phagocytosis assay for determining haemocyte activity. A distinction was made between plasma- and cell-associated effects. The period immediately after penetration of the parasite into the snail host (1.5-72 h post-exposure (p.e.)) was extensively studied. In addition, several time-points coinciding with the later-successive-stages of parasite development (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks p.e.) were investigated. Plasma-associated enhancement of defence activity was found between 1.5 and 6 h p.e., followed by plasma-associated suppression between 12 and 72 h p.e. A cell-associated activation was found between 1.5 and 6 h p.e. and also at 8 and 10 weeks p.e. How these effects on the defence system may be related to phenomena observed in infected snails at these time-points is discussed.