Schistosoma haematobium infection in the opossum (Didelphis marsupialis): involvement of the urogenital system

Bull World Health Organ. 1971;45(1):21-5.

Abstract

Investigations of experimental schistosomiasis haematobia have suffered for want of satisfactory mammals in which schistosome infections would establish host-parasite situations more or less comparable with those seen in man. As a consequence, mammals representing different major groups have been exposed to infection by Schistosoma haematobium (Iran strain) to determine their potential use as models for more detailed investigations. In preliminary studies, 8 American opossums (Didelphis marsupialis) were exposed to 1000 or 2000 cercariae. Macroscopic involvement of the urogenital tract was noted in 3 animals, one of which had a 1-cm fibrous plaque in the bladder. In another animal, multiple transitional cell papillomas were present in the bladder and in one ureter.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Opossums*
  • Papilloma / etiology
  • Papilloma / pathology
  • Schistosoma haematobium*
  • Schistosomiasis* / pathology
  • Urogenital Neoplasms / etiology
  • Urogenital Neoplasms / pathology
  • Urogenital System / pathology
  • Urologic Diseases* / pathology