Evaluation of schistosoma mansoni nervous system using confocal laser electron microscopy: nerve sensilla and FMRFamide while referring to F-actin abundance

Abstract

ABSTRACT The chaetotaxy distribution pattern of surface nerve sensilla on the surface of both Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium was studied after exposure to silver nitrate treatment followed by light. This distribution pattern could not be achieved earlier due to namelessness, crowded nerve sensilla and twist of most parasites. In S. mansoni, silver impregnation technique displays nerves as ventral nerve cord, ventral sucker nerve that branches to three rings which innervate the ventral sucker. This technique shows the oral sucker ring, ring commissures and bipolar or multipolar nerve cells detected dorsally. In S. haematbium, nerves stained in S. mansoni were also stained in addition to the oral nerve and oral sucker ring. Furthermore, a number of crucial nerves were identified and their innervations to relevant organs were thoroughly examined. A confocal anti-FMRF amide technique was applied to whole-mount worms of both species. In addition to the general tegumental muscles stated previously and stated in this research specific nerves were also described and referred to a specific organ that assumed to innervate. In conclusion, the findings of the current study differentiate between S. mansoni and S. mansoni using chaetotaxy map as a step for spotlighting on FMRF amidergic components as antihelmintic target in future.