The Surface Labeling of Schistosomes

The mature schistosome has an extraordinary capacity to survive within the blood of its definitive host despite the presence of protective immune responses. Such protective responses can be stimulated by infection itself, vaccination with highly irradiated cercariae, or by individual molecules (1 ). The target of protective responses is the young schistosomulum of the organism within the first few days after its penetration of the host (1 ).