Changes in activities of lysosomal enzymes in experimental schistosomiasis mansoni

To characterize biochemical aspects of host responses to Schistosoma mansoni infection, activities of β-glucuronidase and acid phosphatase, which are lysosomal enzymes, were determined using serum as well as extracts of liver, lung and spleen of mice either infected with cercariae or injected with eggs of this parasite via tail vein. The activity of acid phosphatase was within normal limit with all specimens examined throughout the course of observation. In contrast, the activity of β-glucuronidase of liver significantly increased in mice infected with bisexual S. mansoni, but not in those infected only with male schistosomes. β-Glucuronidase activity also increased in lung with granulomas induced by injection with eggs of this parasite. The activity of this enzyme in spleen and serum also significantly increased in mice infected only with male schistosomes as well as with bisexual parasites but not in egg-injected mice.