Inactivation of Schistosoma Using Low-Temperature Plasma.

Silvie Hejzlarová,Vladimír Scholtz,Marta Chanová,Josef Khun,Jaroslav Julák

doi:10.3390/microorganisms9010032

Silvie Hejzlarová, Vladimír Scholtz + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9010032

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Abstract

The inactivation of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae and miracidia was achieved by exposure to plasma produced by the positive, negative, and axial negative corona discharges. The positive discharge appeared as the most effective, causing the death of cercariae and miracidia within 2–3 min of exposure. The negative discharge was less effective, and the axial discharge was ineffective. The water pre-activated (PAW) by the discharges showed similar efficiency, with the exception of the significantly effective PAW activated with axial discharge. These facts, together with the observation of various reactions among plasma-damaged schistosomes, suggest that the mechanisms of inactivation by different types of discharges are different.

Highlights

The genus Schistosoma belongs to the phylum Platyhelminthes, class Trematoda, and family Schistosomatidae
This genus contains almost 30 species, and among them, the species Schistosoma haematobium, S. mansoni, S. japonicum, S. intercalatum, and S. mekongi are important in human medicine as the causative agents of a disease called schistosomiasis or bilharziasis
About 250 million people suffer from schistosomiasis, mainly in Africa, Asia, and South America

Summary

Introduction

The genus Schistosoma belongs to the phylum Platyhelminthes, class Trematoda, and family Schistosomatidae. This genus contains almost 30 species, and among them, the species Schistosoma haematobium, S. mansoni, S. japonicum, S. intercalatum, and S. mekongi are important in human medicine as the causative agents of a disease called schistosomiasis or bilharziasis. About 250 million people suffer from schistosomiasis, mainly in Africa, Asia, and South America. Mostly imported infections occur; spreading from endemic areas with subsequent life-cycle establishment has been recorded [1,2]. Cercarial dermatitis or swimmer’s itch, a benign disease of worldwide distribution caused by schistosomes of bird-specific species (e.g., Trichobilharzia) occurs frequently in the temperate zone

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