In vitro cultivation of early schistosomula of nasal and visceral bird schistosomes (Trichobilharzia spp., Schistosomatidae)

Cercariae of bird schistosomes (Trichobilharzia szidati and Trichobilharzia regenti) were mechanically stimulated to transform to schistosomula and kept in different cultivation media supplemented with duck red blood cells and/or homogenized nervous tissue. The development under in vitro conditions was compared with that in vivo, using the following characters: emptying of penetration glands, surface changes, food uptake, and growth of early schistosomula. The results show that the cultivation medium routinely used for human schistosomes is also suitable for mass production of early schistosomula of bird schistosomes, including the unique nasal species—T. regenti. The changes observed resemble those present in worms developing in vivo; therefore, the in vitro produced early schistosomula might be used for further studies of host–parasite interactions.