Influence of mechanical tail-detachment techniques of schistosome cercariae on the production, viability, and infectivity of resultant schistosomula: a comparative study.

Two decaudation methods used by Schistosoma mansoni cercariae for the production of schistosomula by in vitro transformation were comparatively tested. Both low-pressure syringe passage and vortex mixing of the cercariae produced schistosomula of similar percentages of viability, and the levels of worm recovery following subcutaneous injection in mice were also comparable, though low. By all criteria tested, including simplicity and time requirement, the two methods are equally efficient and are well applicable for mass production of schistosomula.