The effects of gamma-irradiation on migration and survival of Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula in mice.

Infections with irradiated Schistosoma mansoni were established by intramuscular (i.m.) injection of mechanically transformed schistosomula. A dose of 2.3 krad. allowed persistence of a small proportion of worms to adulthood, and of these survivors the majority of the female worms were sexually sterile. However, a small proportion of 2.3 krad.-irradiated females and a larger proportion of similarly irradiated males were capable of pairing successfully with non-irradiated partners. Radiation in the range 2.3 to 10 krad. resulted in slightly reduced peak recoveries from the lungs while 20 krad. resulted in a much reduced and 40 krad. a virtual absence of survival to the lung stage. Increasing doses of radiation in the range 2.3 to 10 krad. resulted in successively fewer parasites reaching the liver. Thus, the major sites of the radiation-induced mortality appeared to be as follows: 2.3 krad., mainly in the liver; 4 krad., in the lungs and liver; 10 krad., mainly in the lungs; 20 krad., at the injection site and in the lungs and 40 krad., mainly at the injection site. The infections studied here showed reduced survival following exposure to high doses of radiation compared with the infections, established as percutaneously applied cercariae, which have been reported by other workers. Possible reasons for the disparity are discussed.