STUDY OF ALASKAN SCHISTOSOMES
Abstract
The survey of Alaskan schistosomes (blood flukes) of military-medical importance resolved itself into a collection of snails which are the intermediate hosts of the worms and which release infective, penetrating cercariae. A total of seventy-six bodies of water was investigated during the summer of 1952. Sixteen were found to harbor snails infected with the itch-producing cercariae. Infested sites were in the Fairbanks area, Yukon flats, near the Tok and lower Alaska Highways. Ten species of snails were found and the two most common species, Lymnaea palustris L. stagnalis were found to harbor the cercariae. The highest incidence of schistosome cercariae was in late July and August. Natural clinical cases of schistosome dermatitis were found and the itch-producing ability of the located cercariae was demonstrated in all instances. The general syndrome of schistosome dermatitis is discussed. A limited study of the morphology of the cercariae is presented and the behavior of the liberated cercariae is iscussed. Additional morphological, ecological, and life history studies are necessary before positive identification can be made. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1953
- Accession Number
- AD0293189
Entities
People
- Reinard Harkema