Description
Bilharzia (Male & Female)
A model of male and female Schistosoma worms, which cause bilharzia, can be used to study the differences between the sexes and to develop vaccines.
Male and female Schistosoma worms
- Male worms: Robust, tuberculate, and measure 6-12 mm in length
- Female worms: Slender, longer than males, and measure 7-17 mm in length
- Sex-specific differences: Male worms have large tubercles and rigid spines, while female worms have a smoother surface and fewer spines
- Developmental stage: The developmental stage of adult worms depends on mating status
Models of Schistosoma worms
- Controlled human infection model (CHI-S): A model that can speed up vaccine development and provide insight into early immune responses
- Single-sex CHI-S model: A model that uses single-sex male or female Schistosoma cercariae
- Model Bilharzia Male & Female: An enlarged, dissection model that shows the internal organs of both male and female Schistosoma worms
Bilharzia (schistosomiasis)
- A neglected tropical disease (NTD)
- Can be treated effectively, safely, and cheaply
- The risk of developing severe disease is diminished and even reversed when treatment is initiated and repeated in childhood
