The course of experimental Schistosoma mansoni infection in the albino rat, a singular host for schistosomes was studied. Four weeks after infection there was a decrease of worm burden, a sélf-cure phenomenon reported by other investigators. However, after administration of a immunosupressive drug - Azathioprine - an increase in susceptibility of rats to infection was observed, with the animals presenting a significant delay in the to period selfcure. The majority of worms were recovered from the intra-hepatic veins of the portal system, but there was no migration to mesenteric veins. When rats were treated with Azathioprine a significant mesenteric localization of schistosomes was observed in this host.
Schistosoma mansoni; Experimental schistosomiasis; Immunosupression