Lysosomal Enzyme Activities in Susceptible and Refractory Strains of Biomphalaria glabrata during the Course of Infection with Schistosoma mansoni

The distribution and abundance of the lysosomal enzyme markers, acid phosphatase (AP), peroxidase (PO), and nonspecific esterase (NE), within circulating blood cells (hemocytes) were examined in a schistosome-susceptible (PR albino M-line) and a resistant (10-R2) strain of Biomphalaria glabrata during the course of infection with Schistosoma mansoni. The dynamics of serum (cell-free hemolymph) AP activities and total hemocyte numbers in infected snails also were investigated. Hemocyte subpopulations, as determined by these enzyme markers, responded differently to parasite infection between snail strains. Generally, the hemocyte subpopulations within PR albino snails remained largely unchanged, whereas the same subpopulations in 10-R2 snails fluctuated considerably. The distribution of AP in the hemocytes of 10-R2 snails decreased by 1 hr postexposure (PE) to the parasite and remained low through 12 hr before increasing to control values at 24 hr and 2 wk PE. In comparison, PO activity increased by 1 hr PE and peaked at 12 hr before dropping to 0 hr values by 2 wk PE. The NE activity exhibited still another pattern with the percentage of NE-positive cells decreasing from 0 to 12 hr PE followed by a recovery to 0-hr values by 24 hr. The abundance of these hemocyte enzymes followed a similar pattern to that of their distribution, although some differences were observed. Serum AP values varied little in PR albino snails except for a significant increase at 2 wk PE, indicating a possible response to tissue damage resulting from migrating daughter sporocysts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)